Vitamins and Minerals for Dental Health

Eating healthy foods full of vitamins and minerals, or taking vitamin supplements, may prove more beneficial than to just overall health. While most vitamins and minerals—if consumed in the appropriate quantities—are valuable, certain vitamins promote pristine oral health, keeping teeth, tongue, and gums strong.

Vitamins and minerals encourage cell growth so that the body can fight off different types of bacteria, virus, and infection. Below is partial list of some of the important vitamins and minerals, and the foods in which they are naturally found. Please consult a physician before consuming any supplements, including vitamin, mineral, herbal, etc.

Vitamins and Minerals for Dental Health

Calcium

The jaw, teeth, and bones in the body, like the skeleton, are in part made of calcium. In order to keep teeth strong, it is important to absorb calcium to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Eating foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, dark leafy greens, and fortified products like cereals and grains may help to satisfy the daily suggested calcium intake.

Vitamin C

A vitamin C deficiency may increase the likelihood of bleeding gums. Eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C may help to prevent sensitive gums and periodontal diseases. Try to incorporate foods such as papayas, broccoli, strawberries, pineapples, oranges, and cauliflowers into a daily diet to ensure consistent levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps with the absorption of many other vitamins and minerals, including calcium. In some occasions, a vitamin D deficiency may cause a condition known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

While most people receive a healthy dose of vitamin D during summer from natural sunlight, it is sometimes necessary to consume vitamin D rich foods or supplements to receive proper amounts of vitamin D year-round. Eating foods like fatty fish, cheeses, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products will help to maintain a healthy mouth any month of the year.

Iron

Iron helps to prevent tongue inflammation, infections, and bacteria by helping to increase the flow of oxygen in the body. Iron-rich foods such as red meats, egg yolks, beans, lentils, artichokes, and dried fruit may help to fight infections and bacteria build-up.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps to re-mineralize teeth, balancing minerals in the saliva to help wash away bacteria and prevent further decay. Foods that help the body absorb magnesium include low-fat milk, dark, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, and bananas.

By Alexander Ash, DDS

Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.