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Good nutrition is essential not only for overall health but for dental health as well. Listed below are the vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy teeth:

Calcium

Calcium is well-known for its role in healthy bones and teeth, but calcium is also important for maintaining the health of your teeth in other ways as well. Calcium is a mineral that is found throughout the human body, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough in your diet. Some foods that are high in calcium include yogurt, cheese, milk, and broccoli. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

In addition to being found in food, your body also produces it on its own. However, as you age, you may become more susceptible to calcium deficiency. This is because your bone mass tends to decrease over time, which can result in weaker teeth and bones. A lack of calcium can also cause problems with your gums, such as gingivitis. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re consuming enough calcium to keep your mouth healthy.

Vitamin D

Most people know that vitamin D is important for strong bones, but did you know that it is also important for healthy teeth? When our bodies absorb sunlight, it produces vitamin D. This vitamin helps the body to absorb calcium, which strengthens our bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, we are more prone to gum disease and tooth decay.

It is important to make sure you are getting enough of this essential vitamin! Not only can it help with your teeth, but it can also help to prevent diabetes, heart disease, and depression. If you are concerned about your vitamin D deficiency level, speak with your doctor about what you can do to get more of this important vitamin.

Our bodies are also able to produce vitamin D when we consume certain foods like fish, eggs, dairy products, beef liver, and cheese. However, it can be difficult to get all of the vitamin D that we need from food alone. For this reason, we recommend that all of our patients take a supplement of vitamin D.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is required for cell growth, including cells in your mouth that are responsible for tooth development. If you do not have enough vitamin A in your diet, your body cannot produce healthy teeth. You can get certain vitamins from your diet: vitamin A is found in the liver and other organ meats, fish oils, butter, carrots, and dark leafy greens. It is also available in supplement form.

While vitamin A is necessary for a healthy mouth, it is also toxic in high doses. Too much of this vitamin can lead to liver damage and even birth defects if taken while pregnant. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your gums from inflammation. It also repairs the connective tissue between your teeth and gums, which helps to prevent gum disease. The National Institute of Health recommends getting at least 75 mg of vitamin C daily. You can get this in your diet by eating lots of fruits (especially citrus fruits) and vegetables. You may also consider taking a vitamin supplement to ensure that your body is meeting your daily requirement.

This vitamin is also great at reducing oral bacteria. Its antioxidant qualities help the body fight off the bacteria that can cause cavities and infections. If you want to have a healthy mouth, you’ll need to get enough vitamin C.

Vitamin K

There are many important vitamins that help your teeth stay healthy and strong. One such vitamin is vitamin K. It plays an essential role in helping your body absorb calcium, which is essential for strong bones. However, it also helps with gum tissue as well. This vitamin helps your gums produce more proteins to help form healthy gum tissue. In some cases, people can also be diagnosed with a form of vitamin K deficiency, which is why it is important to get plenty of foods with this vitamin in them on a regular basis. There are some foods that contain this important ingredient, such as cauliflower, turnip greens, asparagus, kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli. There are also some dairy products that contain it as well, including butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, and even ice cream. 

To discover more about dental procedures, visit Willow Creek Family Dentistry at 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd, Suite 2600, Iowa City, IA 52246, or call our dentist in Iowa City, IA, at (319) 339-4456.