9 Essential Vitamins for Dental Health
You already know regular brushing and flossing are very important when it comes to keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Did you know there are certain vitamins and minerals he or she also needs to consume regularly to maintain a healthy mouth?
Here are our top nine favorite vitamins and minerals for healthy teeth:
Vitamin A – helps with saliva production, which aids in chewing, swallowing, and helps keep teeth clean.
Best foods for Vitamin A: carrots, sweet potatoes, or fish.
Vitamin C – promotes strong and healthy gum tissue, which holds teeth firmly in place.
Best foods for Vitamin C: citrus fruits, peppers, sweet potatoes, broccoli, berries, and kale.
Vitamin D – plays an important role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It also helps the body in the absorption of calcium.
Best foods for Vitamin D: dairy products like milk and cheese, eggs, and fish.
Calcium – builds strong teeth and bones.
Best foods for calcium: dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk; leafy green vegetables and nuts.
Magnesium – like Vitamin D, magnesium also helps with the absorption of calcium.
Best foods for magnesium: nuts, whole grains, beans, seeds, and dark leafy vegetables.
Iron – protects against cavities and prevents gum disease and other oral infections.
Best foods for iron: fish, eggs, meat, seafood, leafy greens, berries, beans, and sweet potatoes.
Fluoride – makes the outside of teeth more resistant to tooth decay.
Best foods for fluoride: water. Most municipal water sources also contain additional fluoride.
Zinc – contributes to healthy teeth formation and prevents plaque, which can lead to tooth decay.
Best foods for zinc: milk, meat, shellfish, mushrooms, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.
Phosphorus – essential in the body’s production of strong bones and teeth.
Best foods for zinc: poultry, pork, seafood, bananas, dairy, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Of course, we know how hard it can be to get kids to eat healthy foods. Consider giving your child a multi-vitamin in addition to having them follow a healthy diet. If you are still concerned about whether your child is getting enough of these vitamins and minerals, talk to one of our pediatric dentists at your child’s next appointment.
Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics Associates of Alabama is led by top-rated pediatric dentists with locations in Birmingham, Cullman, Calera, Hoover, Oxford, Pell City and Trussville. When looking for your child’s dentist, know that we aspire to be the premier provider of pediatric dental and orthodontic services in Alabama. We also provide orthodontics in our Hoover, Calera, Cullman, Oxford, Pell City and Trussville locations. Be the reason someone smiles today!