Lack of useful elements and vitamins affects the human body and the oral cavity is no exception.
Vitamins are not a panacea: proper and regular oral hygiene is important
Of course, eating a healthy diet is important, but it’s much more important to spend enough time on oral hygiene.
In most cases, oral hygiene involves brushing your teeth in the morning and evening. On one hand, this is better than not brushing at all at night, but on the other hand, it’s not enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Doctors’ oral hygiene tips for patients:
It is a top priority for every person, regardless of lifestyle, hobbies, or religion, to maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine.
At the same moment, it is also important what products are included in the diet, because the lack of useful microelements also affects the health of teeth and gums.
What happens if there are not enough vitamins and minerals in the body?
Deficiency of useful elements in the body leads to weakening of gum tissue and worsens blood circulation in them, as a consequence, teeth become brittle and vulnerable to disease: caries develops, chipping occurs.
In addition, the patient develops a mild inflammation of soft tissues – gingivitis, which is accompanied by bleeding and bad breath. Further, if the patient ignores the problem, gingivitis develops into periodontitis, and then into periodontal disease.
What vitamins and minerals strengthen the teeth
So that you do not get confused about what vitamins are useful for teeth and gums, we will divide them into two groups: the first for maintaining healthy bones and tissues of the teeth, the second – for gums and mucosa.
Calcium
Calcium for teeth is an essential micronutrient.
99% of the calcium in the human body is found in the bones and teeth. It is calcium that makes teeth strong, and its deficiency – leads to chips and cracks.
Phosphorus
Like calcium, most of the phosphorus is found in bones and teeth. Moreover, phosphorus participates in the metabolic processes with calcium: they form insoluble salts that strengthen teeth.
In our diet there are enough foods that contain phosphorus (which ones – read below), so in most cases, the human body always has enough of this trace element.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy teeth and increasing their mineral density.
Also, vitamin D plays another important role. It acts as a catalyst for the absorption and entry of calcium into the bloodstream. On its own, calcium is not absorbed, so if there is not enough vitamin D, the bones weaken.
Vitamin D enters the human body when exposed to sunlight, so in clear weather, you don’t have to worry about a lack of it.
Magnesium
Like vitamin D, magnesium improves the absorption of calcium and contributes to the proper formation of the structure of the teeth and the entry of useful elements into the dentin.
Lack of magnesium in the body leads to incomplete absorption of calcium and an increased risk of periodontitis.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports the connective tissues of the gums and bone health.
A deficiency of the vitamin in the body causes even healthy teeth to loosen and gums to become weak, inflamed and bleeding. In other words, gingivitis develops.
Also, vitamin C prevents the formation and accumulation of plaque around the teeth.
Vitamin A
The vitamin maintains the health of tooth enamel and the mucous membrane that covers the gums and cheeks.
Deficiency of the vitamin leads to tooth mobility and gum disease.
Vitamin K2
Strengthens the gums and promotes the production of the protein osteocalcin, which keeps bones and teeth strong.
Deficiency of the vitamin leads to gum disease and all its associated factors (bleeding, bad breath, loose teeth).
Vitamin B9 and folic acid
Vitamin B9 and folic acid are practically the same thing. The difference is that vitamin B9 is natural and found in foods, while folic acid is an artificially synthesized supplement.
Regardless of the origin (artificially created supplements or natural elements in foods), folate has a positive effect on the processes in the circulatory system and strengthens the gums.