Healthy Diet and Dental Health
If you are what you eat, then what does that say about the health of your teeth? Well, of course it's no secret that eating sticky, processed, or sugary foods can do damage to your teeth. But can eating a poor diet have an effect on your teeth over and above causing direct harm? If you eat a well-balanced diet that includes lots of vitamins and minerals that your body needs, will that also have a positive effect on your teeth and its surrounding structures? Are there other reasons to structure your diet in order to make it good for your teeth? And what about eating a poor diet that doesn't include the nutrients your body needs... will that lack of nutritional value in the food you eat also have a negative impact on the other parts of your mouth? These are common dental questions that, like eating a healthy diet for your body, can be answered by looking more closely at the nutrients in the foods you choose to include in your diet on a daily basis.
There are certain vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep each system working optimally. Knowing which nutrients affect which parts of your body and how can help you to choose the right foods for your particular health needs. And the same is true for your teeth. There are some nutrients that provide benefits to the health of your teeth, and it's helpful to know which of these are beneficial and why. Of the vitamins and minerals in existence, the following are some of the most important to the teeth and surrounding structures: calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and protein.
Calcium
Everybody knows calcium is important to teeth. In fact, it's one of the most vital of all the nutrients when it comes to teeth. But do you know why? It's because calcium promotes healthy growth as well as maintenance of bone and tooth structure. In addition, calcium is linked to healthy tooth enamel, which is the protective covering of teeth.
Phosphorous
Phosphorous is also extremely important to teeth, but it doesn't get the face time that calcium does... though maybe it should. Phosphorous is vital for teeth because it, too, is highly beneficial for tooth structure.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is linked to immune function, and not just for the body, but also for the teeth. Vitamin A is also important for the function of mucosal tissue. Note, however, that getting too much vitamin A can lead to gum problems, so be mindful of overdoing the vitamin A.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C isn't just good for colds. It's beneficial in maintaining optimal immune function, even for teeth. Vitamin C is also important for keeping mucosal/connective tissue healthy.
Vitamin D
Like calcium, vitamin D is important to the remineralization of tooth enamel. Vitamin D is also important for optimal immune function as well as mucosal tissue health.
Iron
Iron, too, is a highly important mineral for the health of your mouth's connective tissue. It's also important to immune function.
Protein
Protein is important for teeth and their surrounding structures because it helps to maintain tooth structure and proper immune function. Protein is also important for optimal development of connective tissue.
Seriously, it's no secret that observing a well-balanced diet is important to your body's health. Each of your organs and all the different functions of your body all need certain nutrients to keep them functioning optimally. But it's also true that your teeth need certain vitamins and minerals to keep them functioning properly. You use your teeth and your mouth all day every day, to speak, express yourself, and of course, to eat. But if your diet is lacking the essential nutrients your teeth, gums, and all those other important surrounding structures need, then you may just be looking at your teeth on your nightstand some day. But it doesn't have to be that way. Tweak your diet a little here and there to include raw crunchy vegetables that include vital nutrients and teeth cleaners. Limit your sugary, processed food intake. And check food labels to make sure you're including the most important minerals and vitamins your teeth and gums need to keep them healthy for a lifetime. For further answers to these and other common dental questions, be sure to ask your dentist at your next appointment.
There are certain vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep each system working optimally. Knowing which nutrients affect which parts of your body and how can help you to choose the right foods for your particular health needs. And the same is true for your teeth. There are some nutrients that provide benefits to the health of your teeth, and it's helpful to know which of these are beneficial and why. Of the vitamins and minerals in existence, the following are some of the most important to the teeth and surrounding structures: calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and protein.
Calcium
Everybody knows calcium is important to teeth. In fact, it's one of the most vital of all the nutrients when it comes to teeth. But do you know why? It's because calcium promotes healthy growth as well as maintenance of bone and tooth structure. In addition, calcium is linked to healthy tooth enamel, which is the protective covering of teeth.
Phosphorous
Phosphorous is also extremely important to teeth, but it doesn't get the face time that calcium does... though maybe it should. Phosphorous is vital for teeth because it, too, is highly beneficial for tooth structure.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is linked to immune function, and not just for the body, but also for the teeth. Vitamin A is also important for the function of mucosal tissue. Note, however, that getting too much vitamin A can lead to gum problems, so be mindful of overdoing the vitamin A.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C isn't just good for colds. It's beneficial in maintaining optimal immune function, even for teeth. Vitamin C is also important for keeping mucosal/connective tissue healthy.
Vitamin D
Like calcium, vitamin D is important to the remineralization of tooth enamel. Vitamin D is also important for optimal immune function as well as mucosal tissue health.
Iron
Iron, too, is a highly important mineral for the health of your mouth's connective tissue. It's also important to immune function.
Protein
Protein is important for teeth and their surrounding structures because it helps to maintain tooth structure and proper immune function. Protein is also important for optimal development of connective tissue.
Seriously, it's no secret that observing a well-balanced diet is important to your body's health. Each of your organs and all the different functions of your body all need certain nutrients to keep them functioning optimally. But it's also true that your teeth need certain vitamins and minerals to keep them functioning properly. You use your teeth and your mouth all day every day, to speak, express yourself, and of course, to eat. But if your diet is lacking the essential nutrients your teeth, gums, and all those other important surrounding structures need, then you may just be looking at your teeth on your nightstand some day. But it doesn't have to be that way. Tweak your diet a little here and there to include raw crunchy vegetables that include vital nutrients and teeth cleaners. Limit your sugary, processed food intake. And check food labels to make sure you're including the most important minerals and vitamins your teeth and gums need to keep them healthy for a lifetime. For further answers to these and other common dental questions, be sure to ask your dentist at your next appointment.