There may be something missing in your diet that could be responsible for week teeth and cavities? This article will focus on 6 important vitamins that strengthen tooth enamel. Consider adding them to your diet either naturally or with a vitamin supplement.
A diet rich in minerals and vitamins can not only significantly help strengthen your teeth but will also improve your overall dental health. Replacing foods that cause acid erosion (8 worst foods for oral health) with the following vitamin rich foods can speed up the healthy transformation.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals for strong teeth as it directly helps strengthen enamel. You might already be aware that dairy products are a good source of calcium, but add to that list greens, seeds, sardines, canned salmon, beans, lentils, figs and almonds.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is also particularly important. It not only boosts mineral density, but it also assists your bones and teeth to absorb, carry, and retain calcium. Some dairy products and cereal come fortified with vitamin D, but other foods naturally contain it. Foods rich in vitamin D include: Salmon, herring, sardines, cod liver oil, tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms. And although everyone says to stay out of the sun, you naturally absorb vitamin D from sunlight as well.
Recently vitamin D has also been linked to lessening the effect of COVID-19. See WebMD
Vitamin C
How does vitamin C affect oral health? Did you know, Vitamin C helps with the synthesis of collagen in dentin. Vitamin C also helps with the development, repair, and maintenance of teeth. Try foods rich in vitamin C, like oranges, kale, Kakadu Plums, acerola cherries, rose hips, chili peppers, guavas, yellow peppers, black currents, thyme, parsley, and mustard spinach. Give your body an oral care boost With Vitamin C.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is important to your dental health because it can naturally protect and rebuild tooth enamel. Good sources of phosphorus are found in protein-rich foods like turkey, poultry, pork, sea food, organ meats, nuts, whole grains, quinoa, soy, beans, lentils, and eggs.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important to your gums’ health and tooth enamel. Your enamel contain keratin, which is a protein that uses vitamin A as a building block or foundation. Foods containing vitamin A are often orange colored. For example, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and carrots are all rich in vitamin A. In addition, liver, cod liver oil, hard boiled eggs, sea food, cheese, and caviar can also help strengthen enamel.
Vitamin K
Then at last we get to Vitamin K. As a calcium-binder It helps with both bone growth and bone density, but it also strengthens tooth enamel. Foods rich in vitamin K include: Cooked Kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, collard greens, natto, spinach, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, beef liver, pork chops, chicken, goose liver paste, green beans, prunes kiwi, soybean oil, hard cheese, avocado, and green peas.
By adding these few important vitamins and minerals (Ca, D, C, P, A and K) to your diet you can significantly strengthen tooth enamel and have better overall oral health. As noted, finding these naturally in food is definatly an option. Some have also found vitamin supplements to be a good way to get the nutrients you need.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accordingly, always seek the advice of your Dentist or other healthcare providers regarding a dental condition or treatment.