Your teeth and gums are quite like other body parts. They too require nutrients on regular basis to perform optimally. Only a balanced and healthy diet can help you get right vitamins and minerals for your teeth and gums. People who don’t eat right or whose food choices are not good can suffer from weakened teeth and troubled gums over time. Lack of vitamins and minerals can weaken the mouth’s ability to resist infection, therefore risks of gum disease grows. If you don’t eat healthier, your dental health will suffer in future. That’s why vitamins and minerals and essential for your dental health.
Let’s look at some of key vitamins and minerals required by teeth
- Calcium
No mineral is as required for your teeth as calcium. It’s considered the building block of your teeth and bones. Calcium is a type of mineral that ensures structural support to your teeth. It helps harden the tooth enamel and keep the jawbone healthy. Your diet can include items like milk, cheese, yoghurt, banana, salmon and broccoli to meet the body’s calcium requirements. So, eat right, get regular dosages of calcium and maintain dental health.
- Vitamin D
The calcium you get through different foods will not work effectively in the absence of vitamin D in the body. Because, vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium better and enhance bone mineral density as well. Exposure to the sun can help your body get vitamin D as the body can naturally make the vitamin. Some of other sources of this vitamin include fatty fish, egg yolks and canned tuna.
- Potassium
Potassium is also a key mineral for dental health. It is required by the body to boost bone mineral density. More importantly, potassium stops blood from turning too acidic when it combines with magnesium. And when your blood becomes acidic, it can trickle calcium from teeth and bones. Some of rich sources of potassium include bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, prunes and avocados. With right diet, you can easily meet the body’s requirement of potassium mineral.
- Phosphorus
Like calcium, phosphorus is also a key mineral in building bones and teeth. In fact, it works in combination with calcium to improve your dental and bone health. You can trust a wide range of foods for this mineral and maintain your dental health, especially seafoods. Some of foods for this mineral include salmon, sardines, shrimp. However, if you want phosphorus from plant-based sources, you can rely on lentils, soybeans, and cheese.
- Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for healthy bone and strong teeth. It works like a shield by blocking the substances that break or weaken the bone. More so, this vitamin is key to producing a protein – osteocalcin – that is known for supporting bone strength. Lack of this vitamin can adversely affect your body’s healing capacity. Some of rich sources for this vitamin include kale, spinach, broccoli and parsley.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is key to healthy gums. This vitamin is essential for keeping your gums string and providing strength to the soft tissue in the mouth. Its regular supply is essential for protection against the early stage of gum disease or gingivitis. Key sources for vitamin C include citrus foods, leafy greens and potatoes.
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also essential for dental health. It is required for three main reasons – for keeping the mucous membranes healthy, for helping the mouth health quickly and for preventing dry mouth. Any dental clinic in Delhi can confirm that rich sources for this vitamin include spinach, kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and apricot.
Written By : Shashi Das
