Best Vitamins for Teeth and Gums

Good nutrition is important for overall health, including the health of teeth and gums, and gums. There are many important vitamins and minerals that help maintain overall oral health and prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Vitamin C

A natural antioxidant, vitamin C helps strengthen your gums and fight gum disease. Eating citrus fruits or taking chewable vitamin C tablets are great ways to get your daily dose of vitamin C!

In the oral environment, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that destroy healthy tissue, causing inflammation and contributing to periodontal disease. Vitamin C neutralizes these molecules to help prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

Vitamin C is also essential to the production of collagen, which is a key component of connective tissues like gum and bone tissue. With improved collagen production comes stronger bones and gums. Studies have shown that vitamin C may play a role in reducing inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria or plaque buildup. This is why many dentists recommend eating foods high in vitamin C, like oranges and strawberries. You can also take a daily chewable vitamin C tablet in addition to your diet. These will help keep your gums healthy and strong. Ask your dentist for more recommendations about the best way to incorporate vitamin C into your daily routine to protect your teeth.

Vitamin D

Although the best source of vitamin D is sunlight, you can get some from dairy and fatty fish. However, if your diet doesn’t supply enough of this vitamin, you may want to supplement with vitamin D pills.

If you don’t get enough vitamin D, you can become deficient in calcium. Low levels of calcium can lead to tooth decay or gum disease. This is because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium better. So if you aren’t getting enough vitamin D, you may not be absorbing as much calcium as you should. This puts you at risk for cavities or gum disease.

If you have gum disease, low vitamin D levels can make it worse. Your body needs vitamin D to fight infection and inflammation. If your body doesn’t have enough of it, it may be harder for it to fight the bacteria causing your gum disease. This is why it’s so important to get the proper amount of vitamin D every day – especially if you already have gingivitis or are showing signs of periodontitis.

Some studies show that taking vitamin D supplements can help reduce inflammation and swelling in your gums. It may also reduce your risk of bone loss in your jaw. It can even help reverse some of the damage to your jawbone caused by gum disease.

Vitamin K

As one of the easiest vitamins to consume, vitamin K is found in many foods as a naturally occurring chemical compound. Its name comes from the German word “koagulation,” which means coagulation or clotting of blood.

This vitamin can be consumed through leafy green vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, and other dark leafy greens. Other sources include okra, lettuce, turnip greens, asparagus, and dried basil. It’s also found in certain cheeses. It can also be derived from supplements and dairy products.

This nutrient is essential for healthy bone growth as it’s necessary for the minerals calcium and magnesium to bind to proteins. These nutrients assist in protecting against heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and even diabetes. Research indicates that it’s also beneficial for gum health. It stimulates the production of a protein called osteocalcin which aids in building bone tissue. Vitamin K also discourages the deposit of bacteria in the gums preventing gingivitis.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A – also known as retinol – is essential for healthy vision, cell growth, and bone development. It’s also been linked to improved oral health.

Studies have shown that vitamin A may help slow the buildup of plaque on teeth and gums by stimulating saliva production and promoting healthy gum cells. However, too much vitamin A can be toxic, so always be sure to use adequate sun protection.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex is essential for maintaining healthy gums and supporting the body’s immune system. Several B vitamins also help form red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body to your teeth and mouth.

Good sources of vitamin B complex include whole grains, nuts, seeds, eggs, legumes, liver, meat, fish, bananas, leafy green vegetables, and dairy. If you feel like you’re not getting enough of these vitamins in your diet, consider taking a supplement. There are plenty of options available over the counter. 

If you wish to learn more, make an appointment with our dental experts. Visit us at Steven H. Brenman DMD, 1311 Bay St, Staten Island NY 10305. Call us to book an appointment at 718-650-2199.