What Vitamins and Minerals Promote Healthy Teeth and Gums?

Posted on September 22, 2022 | First Time

Brushing and flossing are essential for our children’s overall oral health, and the type of food and beverages they consume daily can have long term effects on their dental health. Consuming a balanced diet of foods rich in vitamins and minerals can help ensure that your children will have healthy teeth and gums to last their lifetime. 

What vitamins and minerals promote healthy teeth and gums?

This is a list of the essential vitamins and minerals to include in your child’s diet to ensure that their teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and strengthens teeth. In addition to making our bones and teeth stronger, it also reduces the risk of bone fractures. Vitamin D also helps to keep the immune system functioning so that our bodies can resist disease. 

Our bodies make Vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight but it can also be found in fatty fish, canned tuna, and portobello mushrooms. You can also look for foods and drinks that have been fortified with Vitamin D, like milk, orange juice, and some cereals. 

Calcium

Calcium is essential for dental health because it is the main mineral that makes up our teeth and jawbones. When we are lacking this mineral in our foods, our bodies take the calcium it needs from our bones, making them weak. The more calcium your child consumes, the stronger their teeth will become. Calcium also maintains the function of the organs, brain, and skeletal muscles. 

The main food sources of calcium are milk, yogurt, and cheese. Other foods that offer calcium include fish with soft bones, broccoli, kale, fruit juices, soy and rice beverages, and most grains. 

Phosphorus

Your body contains large amounts of phosphorus and most of it is found in your teeth. It works hand in hand calcium to protect and rebuild your tooth enamel. Replenishing phosphorus is important for the maintenance and repair of body tissues and teeth.

Phosphorus can be found in many protein-rich foods, like meats, eggs, nuts, legumes, and dairy.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A offers benefits to both your eyes and mouth. This vitamin forms and maintains tissues, like your gums. Another function of vitamin A is to help keep saliva flowing. This naturally cleans teeth of damaging acids and prevents dry mouth.

Vitamin A is found in dairy, chicken, meat, sweet potatoes, orange fruits, spinach, collard greens, kale, fish, and egg yolks.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for keeping the connective tissues of your gums strong. When our body lacks Vitamin C, the tissues holding your teeth securely in place can weaken, teeth can become loose, gums can bleed, and the risk for gum disease increases.

It is important to encourage your children to eat citrus fruits, spinach, berries, kiwifruit, and sweet potatoes.

Iron

Iron is important for maintaining healthy levels of red blood cells. This helps your body’s immune system to function normally and defend against infection and disease. Low iron in your body weakens your immune system and increases your chance of developing oral infections and gum disease.

Keep your child’s immune system up and running to its full potential by giving them seafood, eggs, red meat, cereals, bread, and green leafy vegetables.

A healthy diet can provide your child with the essential vitamins and minerals that they need. But often in the case of a child who is a very picky eater, they may benefit from taking vitamin and mineral supplements. If your child has low levels of one or more than one vitamin or mineral, talk to their pediatrician and ask them about the best recommended multivitamin supplement.

At Blossom, our team is always ready to answer questions, address concerns and make sure that your child has a healthy smile. Schedule an appointment today or call us at (734) 971-3368!