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The Nutrients Your Teeth Need



Let's get a little more scientific today. Let's talk about what nutrients your teeth need, why they need them, and how you can get those.

 Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is important because it keeps your oral mucosa healthy, and assists in the formation of the cells that form your teeth.
Foods that contain vitamin A:

  • carrots 
  • red bell peppers 
  • spinach 
  • liver 
  • sweet potatoes 

Vitamin B 

Deficiencies in the different B vitamins can cause glossitis, a condition that means inflammation of the tongue. 
Foods that contain vitamin B: 
  • whole grains 
  • eggs 
  • legumes 
  • meat 
  • yogurt 
  • nuts and seeds 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for wound healing, so it is important to keep your gums and the other tissues in your mouth healthy. 
Foods that contain vitamin C: 
  • citrus 
  • kale 
  • broccoli 
  • strawberries 
  • kiwi 
Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium, and therefore needed to strengthen your teeth and bones. 
Sources of vitamin D: 
  • sunlight 
  • egg yolks 
  • foods fortified with vitamin D: like orange juice, dairy products, and cereal 
  • cheese 

Vitamin K: 

Vitamin K is essential to proper blood clotting and healing. It also helps support bone strength. 
Foods that contain vitamin K: 
  • kale 
  • spinach 
  • chicken 
  • pork chops 
  • avocados 
  • broccoli     

Protein: 

Protein helps defend, heal, and repair the tissues in the mouth. It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. 
Good protein sources: 
  • meat (chicken, beef, fish, etc.)
  • eggs 
  • legumes 
  • chickpeas 
  • nuts and seeds 
  • quinoa 
  • broccoli 
  • cheese 


Fat: 

Fat can raise the pH of the mouth and coat the teeth to prevent cavities. 
Healthy sources of fat: 
  • avocado 
  • cheese 
  • nuts 
  • extra virgin olive oil 
  • eggs 
Zinc: 
Zinc is a mineral that speeds up wound healing and so is helpful in maintaining healthy tissues. 
Foods containing zinc: 
  • dark chocolate 
  • beef 
  • lamb 
  • oysters 
  • legumes 

Calcium: 
Calcium is needed to support healthy teeth and bones. 
Foods that contain calcium: 
  • milk 
  • cheese 
  • leafy greens (kale, spinach) 
  • broccoli 
  • soy beans 







Source: https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/vitamins-and-minerals.html

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