Vitamins and minerals can be found in nearly all the things you consume, from food to Flintstones Gummies. They can come in the form of pills, powders, and gels. All of these vitamins play different roles in ensuring you stay happy and healthy. There are some that are specifically good for your teeth and gums. See below how some vitamins and minerals can affect your teeth.
Vitamins and minerals important for oral health and why they’re important
There’s no getting around the important role that vitamins and minerals play in strengthening your body and keeping it healthy. Many of these vitamins play a role in bolstering your body’s ability to fight off bacteria that can cause infections. Without the proper amount of vitamins and minerals, you may be more likely to open yourself up to bacterial infections. These kinds of infections play a role in causing cavities, abscesses, gum disease, mouth sores, and other diseases of the mouth.
Your body relies on many different types of vitamins to preserve your oral health and there isn’t one vitamin that can help on its own. Here are several examples of important vitamins and how they can benefit your oral health:
- Iron – If you’re low on iron you’re more likely to end up with sores in your mouth which can lead to swelling or inflammation of the tongue.
- Calcium – Enamel is the outermost protective layer of your teeth and calcium helps to keep this protective layer healthy and strong. Calcium also helps to keep your teeth stable by strengthening the underlying jawbone. In the early stages of cavities, having adequate calcium can even help to remineralize your teeth.
- Vitamin C – When you lack vitamin C, this can cause gum tissue to become inflamed and swollen resulting in loose teeth and bleeding gums.
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D is something of a helper vitamin. Its job is to help your body properly absorb calcium. It can also help to keep your teeth strong and to prevent certain oral diseases.
- Collagen – Collagen helps to remineralize and strengthen all the layers of your teeth.
- Oral probiotics – Probiotics help to decrease inflammation in the mouth which may also help to prevent oral cancer. They also help to fight against cavities, tooth decay, mouth sores, gingivitis, and severe gum disease.
One important thing to note is to always follow the directions if you decide to supplement your diet with additional vitamins and minerals. For example, too much calcium can cause issues like kidney stones if too much of it is consumed. It’s important to consult with your general practitioner and even your dentist to help make a decision on what supplements are right for you. If you’re in need of a visit, connect with us and schedule one. We’re here to help you on a path toward excellent oral health.
