Our teeth and gums need certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and disease-free. These vital elements and nutrients can only be possible with a balanced diet. When you eat the right foods, it helps your tissues and bones healthy by fighting off bacteria and infection. More so, the regular intake of vitamins and minerals through diet can also minimize the chances of gum disease, tooth decay, mouth ulcers, mouth sores, etc. It’s therefore important to eat foods that are healthy and that can contribute to your oral health.
Here are some vitamins and minerals that your mouth needs on a regular basis –
1. Calcium
A calcium-rich diet is essential to keeping your teeth and gums forever healthy and strong. This mineral is part of the tooth enamel and its deficiency can weaken the tooth structure over time. Worse still, not consuming calcium on a regular basis can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Some of the rich and easy sources of calcium include milk, beans, cheese, eggs, kale, etc.
2. Iron
The presence of iron in the body is essential for transporting oxygen to different parts. If this mineral is not present or if it is present in low amount, the chances of bacteria build up in the mouth can go up and thus more risks of infections can happen. More so, deficiency of iron can cause mouth sores and oral inflammation. Some of the rich sources of iron include lentils, beans, spinach, cashews, red meat, and liver.
3. Vitamin A
The presence of vitamin in the body is vital to keeping the tissues in the oral cavity healthy. More so, this vitamin is also needed for maintaining a healthy flow of saliva which can minimize the growth of bacteria and keep away risks of infection. Some of the rich sources of vitamin A include eggs, milk, green vegetables, sweet potatoes, spinach, melon, beef liver, etc.
4. Vitamin C
The problem of bleeding gums and loose teeth is quite common among people who lack vitamin C. In fact, this vitamin has a key role in preventing gum disease including gingivitis and maintaining the health of your teeth. Some of the good sources of vitamin C include oranges, sweet potatoes, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, guava, thyme, parsley, lemons, etc.
5. Vitamin D
The calcium you take can only be absorbed in the body when there is a steady supply of vitamin D. Naturally, lack of this vitamin can put your teeth at risk of getting weakened gradually. More so, people whose diet does not have vitamin D can suffer burning mouth syndrome. Some of the rich sources of vitamin D include sun rays, milk, eggs, fish, etc.
6. Magnesium
Dentists always recommend people to consume foods rich in Magnesium to keep their teeth healthy and strong. This mineral is essential to keeping the enamel strong. Its deficiency can increase the risk of cavity formation which can weaken the tooth over time. Some of the rich sources of Magnesium include whole grain, spinach, cashew, almond, dark chocolate, kale,
quinoa, etc.
7. Potassium
The presence of potassium in the body helps improve bone mineral density. Its presence stops the blood from becoming too acidic else the calcium from the teeth and bones might get leached. A diet rich in potassium can keep your mouth healthy and disease free. Some of the good sources of potassium include bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, prunes, avocados, etc.
To know more about your diet and essential minerals and vitamins, visit a top dental clinic nearby and take consultation of an expert. This will help in maintaining oral health and keeping the teeth and gums risk-free forever.
