Vitamins for Healthy Teeth
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver, found in foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, and fortified cereals. Vitamin A is crucial for vision, immunity, reproduction, and helps your body keep mucous membranes healthy. This is especially beneficial after a dental procedure or oral surgery. It also helps the heart, lungs, and kidneys function properly. A lack of vitamin A can cause night blindness, dry eyes, and an increased risk of infections.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory that can aid with lesions, cuts, and discomfort that comes from braces or a recent tightening or adjustment. Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory properties are also helpful in fighting off canker sores. It is a great choice for maintaining the health of the soft tissue in your mouth. This vitamin is also ideal for bolstering your immune system! Another benefit of increasing vitamin C in your diet is preventing gingivitis. By the time you reach adulthood, you’ve most likely already experienced some form of gingivitis. Gingivitis, in its mild forms, is present in most adults, even those with an excellent oral hygiene routine. Vitamin C is easy to incorporate into your daily diet; it’s found in oranges, red peppers, and leafy greens!
Calcium
Did you know that your teeth are bones? And, just like all the other bones in your body, a healthy amount of calcium keeps them strong and helps prevent decay and breaking. Calcium also strengthens your jaw bone, where your teeth attach to your skull. Strong and healthy bone tissue is the basis for good oral health. Calcium is found in dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Vitamin D
Getting enough vitamin D has significant implications throughout the body, not just in the mouth. Vitamin D is essential because it helps your body absorb vitamin C. Sufficient vitamin D helps increase your bone mineral density and leads to healthier bones. Due to these qualities, vitamin D is ideal for those undergoing orthodontic treatment as strong bones in the face and teeth allow for correction of the bite to be long-lasting and healthy. Vitamin D is great because you don’t have to buy anything to incorporate it into your life, just step out into the sun!
Vitamin K
Many people haven’t heard of vitamin K, or don’t understand what it does for the body. Vitamin K is integral in the functions aided by osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is secreted by your bone cells and regulates muscle strength and physical movement capabilities. As it works closely with bone cells, vitamin K has effects on bone and tooth health, but it is also essential to cognition and regulating glucose metabolism. This little-known vitamin is potent all over the body! Vitamin K is found in cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli, and soybean oil.
