Vitamins and Healthy Teeth

Vital Vitamins for Healthy Teeth

Vitamins are required for cellular function, repair and maintenance and health. Vitamins are divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. The fat-soluble vitamins dissolve into fat, like the fat that makes up the membranes of cells.

The main fat-soluble vitamins that are essential for tooth and bone health are vitamin A, D and K

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is needed for vision, healthy skin, tissue repair, bone growth and protection from harmful substances due to its antioxidant properties. It is found in colourful vegetables and fruits and dark green vegetables and animal fats. However, vitamin A (retinol) from animal fats is the most active form of the vitamin and is the type that confers protection against tooth decay.

Sources of Vitamin A:

• animal livers and fish liver 
• egg yolks from free-range chickens 
• seafood 
• fish liver oils and krill oil

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. It helps prevent osteoporosis, rickets and weak bones. Vitamin D levels are also linked to immunity to different diseases. Vitamin D is not found in plant foods, to obtain it you need to eat animal foods that have vitamin D in them or get adequate sun exposure. 

Sources of Vitamin D: 

• sun exposure 
• cod liver oil 
• sardines, mackerel, salmon, fish roe 
• prawns, shellfish 
• egg yolks 
• livers 
• insects – that may be a step too far, however, chickens that are free-range eat insects and uptake the vitamin D into the egg yolks.

Vitamin E 
Vitamin E is needed for circulation, tissue repair and healing and deactivation of free radicals. It is a powerful antioxidant that requires selenium and zinc to perform its roles.

Sources of Vitamin E: 

• organ meats 
• nuts, seeds 
• legumes 
• dark green leafy vegetables

Vitamin K 
Vitamin K2 protects from heart disease, ensures healthy skin, forms strong bones, promotes brain function, supports growth and development and helps to prevent cancer. But most importantly for your dental health, K2 is used to deposit calcium in the bones and teeth. Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding gums and blood in the urine. 

Sources of vitamin K: 

• goose and chicken liver 
• egg yolks 

The Vitamin D-A-K2 Combination 
These vitamins work together to promote proper bone and tooth mineralisation. They assist calcium and other minerals to be stored in the bones and teeth where they belong and remove excess calcium from the arteries and your bloodstream. If there is too much free calcium in the blood it calcifies the arteries, tissues and ligaments and shows up in the mouth as dental calculus (tartar).

The best sources of fat-soluble vitamins come from animal products, however, if you are vegetarian or vegan these are some food sources of fat- soluble vitamins that you can have – avocado, cold pressed olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds.

Healthy teeth and gums require optimal nutrition – a good balance of vitamins and minerals, a low sugar diet, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits to treat and prevent dental disease.

If it has been 6 months or more since you last dental visit then gives us a call today 07 3720 1811 to speak to our helpful team.