7 vitamins and minerals for healthy teeth and gums
If you want healthy teeth and gums then adding these vitamins and minerals to your diet is a must. As well as brushing and flossing to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy you need to provide your body with the right foods. Holistic dentist Dr Rachel Hall of Evolve dental in Brisbane shares what she considers to be the essential vitamins and minerals required for a healthy smile.
If you want healthy teeth and gums, make sure your diet features these key ingredients – these nutritional building blocks are essential for your dental health.
Vitamins and Minerals for Dental Health
The 7 vitamins and minerals for healthy teeth and gums:
Calcium
This will come as no surprise as calcium is well known as a friend for teeth. Throughout the body, the mineral helps build bones and provide structural support. In your mouth, calcium helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone.
What to eat: In addition to milk, good sources of calcium include nuts and seeds, broccoli and salmon.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium while boosting bone mineral density, so it’s crucial to get an adequate amount of vitamin D to get the most out of your calcium intake.
What to eat: Your body naturally makes vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight, but the vitamin can also be found in fatty fish, canned tuna, free-range eggs, and portobello mushrooms.
Potassium
Like vitamin D, potassium improves bone mineral density. It also works with magnesium to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can leach calcium from your bones and teeth.
What to eat: Bananas are well-known sources of potassium, but they’re not alone. Other fruits and vegetables with high levels of the mineral include lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados and prunes.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus supports calcium in building strong bones and teeth.
What to eat: Luckily, phosphorus is found in a wide range of foods. Rich sources of the mineral include seafood, such as scallops, sardines, cod, shrimp, tuna and salmon. If you’re looking to get your phosphorus from plant-based foods, consider soybeans, lentils and pumpkin seeds.
Vitamin K
Think of this vitamin as a shield – it helps block substances that break down bone. It also helps your body produce osteocalcin, a protein that supports bone strength. Vitamin K deficiency can slow down your body’s healing process and make you more likely to bleed.
What to eat: Leafy greens, such as kale, and spinach, can help you increase your vitamin K quota. Other great sources include parsley, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.
What to eat: You probably already know that citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, but you can also find it in potatoes and leafy greens.
Vitamin A
This vitamin helps keep mucous membranes healthy. It prevents dry mouth and helps your mouth heal quickly.
What to eat: For strong gums and teeth, load up on fish, egg yolks and liver. You can also find it in leafy green vegetables like spinach, and kale or in orange-coloured fruits and oranges: think apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes. These fruits and veggies contain high levels of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.
Healthy Teeth and Gums – Kenmore Dentist
For healthy teeth and gums: eat a diet high in nutritionally dense foods, reduce stress levels, get plenty of sleep and make sure you brush and floss your teeth and gums twice a day.
To find out more about how to improve your dental health book your consultation and check-up today 07 3720 1811
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Dr. Rachel Hall
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
