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