Essential Vitamins for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Vitamins are arguably one of the most important nutrients for your teeth. Not only do they keep bacteria at bay, but they also strengthen the enamel.

Everyone craves a picture-perfect smile, but to get one, you need strong and healthy teeth and maybe a dash of good genetics. Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is great, but if you want to keep periodontal diseases at bay, you better add healthy eating to your dental care routine. That’s right; nutrition plays a crucial role in determining your teeth’ health and appearance.

A proper nutritional diet helps the teeth become strong and develop resistance against infections. Vitamins are arguably the most important nutrients for your teeth. Not only do they keep bacteria at bay, but they also strengthen the enamel. There are at least 13 essential vitamins, but you only need a handful to improve your oral health.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

If you’ve ever wondered why most toothpaste brands contain citrus ingredients, well, it’s because of vitamin C. You can get vitamin C from oranges and other citrus fruits or kale. Vitamin C plays a vital part in the synthesis of collagen in dentin, which, in turn, helps accelerate the growth and repair of your teeth.

Vitamin C is great for kids and teenagers since it helps them grow strong permanent teeth. It also helps keep your teeth firmly in place because it aids in forming the gum tissues that hold your teeth in place.

Vitamin A

You probably know that vitamin A is great for your skin and eyes, but it also does wonders for your teeth.

The enamel in your teeth contains a type of protein called keratin. Keratin is a vital component of the enamel organic matrix, contributing to the enamel’s toughness. Vitamin A promotes the formation of keratin which translates to stronger teeth. Examples of foods rich in Vitamin A include eggs, cord liver oil, and fortified skim milk.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D sits on top among the most crucial vitamins for oral health. This is because Vitamin D plays a double role. The first is that it facilitates teeth mineralization to boost mineral density. Second, it promotes the absorption of calcium, which helps strengthen the enamel.

You can get vitamin D from the sun, but you can take Vitamin D supplements or fortified dairy products if you’re not an outside person.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K also plays a significant role in promoting proper oral health. It plays a single role, which is to activate a protein called osteocalcin. The protein works hand-in-hand with Vitamin D to absorb calcium and build the enamel. Foods rich in vitamin K include green leafy vegetables, fish, and cauliflower.

Vitamins Plus Dental Hygiene Equals Healthy Teeth

Combining the right vitamins and proper dental hygiene results in healthy and movie star teeth. However, don’t forget your regular dental visits, or the results might be underwhelming. Please schedule an appointment with the Dental Anesthesia Center today so that we can work on that beautiful smile.