You know the saying, “You are what you eat”, and what you eat provides your body with what it needs to fight bacteria and infections, at the same time improving its performance, keeping it strong and healthy. Your diet is the main source of your body’s supply of nutrients. Along with the rest of your body, your teeth also benefit from these nutrients and vitamins. In fact, consuming some specific ones helps you maintain a functional and beautiful set of teeth. Keep reading to find out more.
To maintain a balanced and tooth-friendly diet, it’s important to know the role that some vitamins and minerals play on your oral health.
5 nutrients to support your oral health:
- Collagen – helps to remineralize and strengthen the layers of your teeth: enamel, bone, and cementum. Consuming proteins like chicken, fish, beef, dairy products, and eggs boosts your body’s collagen production.
- Calcium – to maintain the structure and strength of the teeth. You can get it from dairy products, like cheese, or soy-based products like tofu. You can also find it in salmon and sardines, beans, nuts, and greens like broccoli, cabbage, or kale.
- Vitamin C – plays a major role in preventing inflammation linked to gum disease because it helps to build and repair connective tissues in your body. Vitamin C can be obtained by consuming citrus fruits (oranges or lemons), spinach, broccoli, green or red peppers, and cauliflower.
- Vitamin D and Phosphorus – work hand in hand with calcium because they boost its absorption and improve bone mineral density. You get vitamin D from sunlight, but it is also present in some foods like tuna, portobello mushrooms, cereals, and dairy products, while phosphorus can be found in seafood, lentils, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, and lentils.
- Potassium – also contributes to strength and structure. Find it in popular sources such as bananas, tomatoes, prunes, and avocados.
Vitamin and dietary deficiencies have been proven to cause an impact on tooth development and structure, leading to tooth decay and other oral health issues. By having proper nutrition and getting the right vitamins in the right amounts, from either food or supplements, you contribute to protecting both your oral and your overall health.
We hope this information helps you in maintaining your dental health as well as your overall health. If you have any questions, please call our Canton office, and we’ll be happy to help.