What Are the Essential Vitamins Your Teeth and Gums Need

Vitamins are essential for the health of your entire body. Although vitamins are essential for your entire body, some vitamins are also essential for your teeth and gums. Listed below are the essential vitamins for your teeth and your gums.

Vitamin D

As you probably already know, calcium is a crucial mineral for your oral health. It’s responsible for strengthening your jaw bones and teeth. But vitamin D is also essential in maintaining the health of your teeth. It helps your body absorb calcium efficiently. Your body also needs magnesium to help it absorb calcium as well. Both of these nutrients are found mostly in the foods you eat, but it can be difficult to have them in high enough quantities without taking supplements. Otherwise, you may need to talk with your dentist about other ways you can improve the strength of your teeth.

Vitamin C

One of the most important vitamins for the health of your teeth and gums is vitamin C or ascorbic acid. This vitamin has a very important function in the world of oral health, as it helps strengthen your teeth, gums, and connective tissues. When you eat foods high in this vitamin, such as oranges and strawberries, you help your body produce collagen, which is a major component of your gum tissues. Collagen helps create more elastic gum tissues, which are more able to resist the infection of bacteria and disease in general. Vitamin C also helps create saliva, which helps keep the teeth clean and free of food debris that can attract bacteria to the teeth. If you do not get enough vitamin C in your diet, you may suffer from bleeding gums or gingivitis over the long term. A deficiency can also lead to tooth sensitivity, increased cavities, and even loose teeth. For this reason, it’s extremely important to eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin C to reap its benefits for your dental health. 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for supporting your gums and protecting you from gum disease. Likewise, it supports bone growth and overall tooth health. Your body needs vitamin A to produce saliva that helps to wash away plaque. You can get this vitamin from foods like eggs, fish, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and kale. Supplements are also an option. However, if you take supplements, try to get them from natural sources like liver or fish oils from marine animals like salmon and tuna. Too much vitamin A can be toxic and lead to issues with your liver and vision. 

Vitamin B-12

Like vitamin B-1, vitamin B-12 supports bone health and aids the body in fighting off infection. It helps with red blood cell formation and nerve function as well. While vitamin B-12 can be found in a variety of foods, including red meat, oysters, clams, and fish, it’s easily supplemented if needed. Most people don’t have a problem with getting enough vitamin B-12. However, in certain populations, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about supplementation. This is especially true for pregnant women as they may have an increased need for nutrients.

To learn more, visit Mission Creek Family Dentistry at 9460 Cuyamaca St #101, Santee, CA 92071. Contact us at (619) 596-1128 or schedule an appointment online.