Vitamins and minerals required for healthy teeth

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals may naturally strengthen dental enamel and can also protect teeth against food and drinks that cause dental erosion.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important minerals to have healthy teeth, since it strengthens enamel and helps to strengthen bones.

Dairy products are a significant source of calcium, as are green leaf vegetables, beans, salmon and almonds.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is doubly important because it does not only increase mineral density, rather it also helps to absorb, transport and deposit calcium in the bones that hold the teeth.

Some dairy products and cereals contain vitamin D, but it can also be generated naturally on exposing ourselves to sunlight.

Potassium

Potassium, just like vitamin D, helps to improve bone density. Bananas are the most known source of potassium, but we can also find it in tomatoes, seaweed and avocado pear.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus plays a critical role in dental health, since it naturally protects and rebuilds dental enamel. The best sources of phosphorous can be found in foods rich in proteins such as meat, chicken, fish, seafish and eggs.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a key nutrient to keep gums healthy and mineralise dental enamel. It also prevents a dry mouth and helps to heal any mouth injury quickly.

Most foods containing Vitamin A are of an orange colour, so it is easy to remember that oranges, apricots, pumpkins and carrots are potential foods containing vitamin A.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K acts as a shield, since it helps to block substances that decompose bones. Vitamin K deficiency can delay the healing of the body and increase the probability of bleeding.

We can find it in green leaf vegetables, such as kale, seaweed and spinach. Other excellent sources are parsley, broccoli and Brussel sprouts.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C strengthens gums and the mouth’s mucosa. It protects against gingivitis, the early phase of gum disease, and may prevent the teeth from becoming loose..

Citric fruits are rich in vitamin C, but they can also be found in potatoes and in green leaf vegetable.