What Vitamins Are Good for Oral Health?

Good nutrition is essential for your whole body. It keeps your immune system working, helps you feel well, and strengthens your bones and organs. But some people are surprised to learn that proper nutrition is also the foundation for a healthy mouth and gums.

While food is always the first option for getting your RDA of essential vitamins, sometimes it’s not possible to consume enough. In most cases, people need some sort of supplement they can find over the counter or through various softgel manufacturers. Here are the vitamins your mouth needs to stay healthy.

Calcium

Although calcium is a mineral, it’s important to mention it in the lineup because it’s the crucial element that other vitamins work to enhance. Calcium is essential for strong teeth because it’s a building block for healthy bones. It strengthens the jawbones to hold the teeth in place, and it strengthens the enamel that encases the teeth. Nearly all the calcium your body consumes is stored in your bones and teeth even though it also plays a role in making sure your blood vessels and muscles work properly.

Having a diet rich in calcium from an early age will help strengthen your bones teeth as they form. This will help prevent tooth decay, loosening teeth, and other bone issues. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, most people need about 1,000 mg of calcium a day. But as you get older, the amount goes up to 1,200 mg. You can get this by eating foods that naturally contain it and by adding supplements to your diet.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D acts as a calcium booster for your body. It helps your intestines absorb the calcium from the food you eat and deposit it into your bloodstream. This vitamin is essential throughout childhood to build a strong foundation for your teeth. But it’s also important as we age to keep them strong.

Unfortunately, vitamin D is one of the most common deficiencies people have. To keep your bones and teeth healthy, you should be consuming between 400-800 IU of it every day. You can get vitamin D from certain foods, such as fish, cheese, eggs, and kale. And you can also get it by being exposed to the sun.

Vitamin A

Most people don’t think of vitamin A when they think of healthy teeth. But it’s an essential element in the formation of healthy tissues. It also plays a key role in healthy mucous membranes and saliva production. These functions are what naturally clean away bacteria and residue between your teeth and gums. Signs of a deficiency in vitamin A might include dry mouth and bleeding gums. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with a Newark, NJ dental practice as soon as possible.

Vitamin C

When you think of vitamin C, you might think of cold and flu prevention, but this vitamin is also essential for healthy gums. Vitamin C helps form and strengthen soft tissue and blood vessels, keeping your gums healthy and thriving. If you experience bleeding, receding, or swollen gums, it’s possible your body is lacking this vitamin and needs a bit more of it.

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C varies quite a bit between age groups, but most adults need between 75-90 mg of Vitamin C per day. Supplements may be needed to get this amount, because our bodies don’t tend to store it very well. Some foods that contain it are citrus fruits, broccoli, red peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries.