5 Most Important Vitamins for Teeth and Gums

A balanced diet is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gum. However, additional vitamins are also required to help prevent common dental problems. Listed below are vitamins that may help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for healthy teeth, gums, bones, skin, and eyes. This vitamin helps promote gum health because it promotes cell reproduction and growth. It also supports calcium absorption from the intestines to keep teeth and bone cells in proper balance. Additionally, vitamin A is also an antioxidant that is designed to promote healing in the body and help the body fight infection.

It is important to maintain adequate levels of this vitamin so you do not experience any negative side effects. Some of the side effects of too little vitamin A are dry skin, slow wound healing, and decreased immunity. Too much vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fever, and fatigue.

To maintain normal levels, you should consume a healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamin A, like fish, beef liver, egg yolks, milk, cheese, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, mangoes, broccoli, and tomatoes. You can also take supplements or multivitamins to make sure you are getting the proper amount of vitamins.

Vitamin D

Rich in vitamin D, fish like mackerel, sardines, and tuna can help keep your teeth healthy. Oily fish contains vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus—two nutrients that are essential for building strong bones and teeth. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that vitamin D may also reduce gum inflammation. This vitamin has potent anti-inflammatory effects, which may keep your gums healthy and free from gingivitis.

While vitamin D is found in most plant-based foods, it’s absorbed more easily from fish than from plants. To get the most benefit from your seafood meals, avoid cooking the fish too long at high temperatures, as this can destroy the nutrient content. Instead, opt for grilled or baked fish dishes. It’s also best to avoid overcooking any meat, as this will lower its nutritional quality. Simply remove the flaky white covering on the salmon and enjoy!

Vitamin D can also be found in certain fortified foods such as cereals, milk, yogurt, orange juice, and margarine. Likewise, many brands of multivitamins and supplements contain the nutrient as well.

Vitamin C

Eating vitamin C-rich foods can help keep your gums healthy, which is vital for your oral health. Vitamin C is an important nutrient in the formation of collagen, which is a fibrous protein found throughout the body. Collagen provides structure to blood vessels, bones, skin, and gums. By making sure you receive enough vitamin C in your diet, you can help support the health of these areas of your body.

Foods that are rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, kiwi, bell peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and papayas. Some dairy products contain vitamin C as well. If you do eat these foods for their vitamin C content, make sure you brush or rinse your mouth out with water after consuming them. Otherwise, you may be at an increased risk of developing cavities. 

Vitamin E

One of the most important vitamins for good oral health is vitamin E. This vitamin supports healthy gums, prevents plaque buildup, and creates a protective barrier on teeth to prevent bacteria from harming tooth enamel. Because vitamin E is not produced by the body, it must be consumed through food or supplements. Foods that are high in vitamin E include almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, kale, avocados, kiwi, mangoes, eggs, wheat germ oil, peanut butter, milk, cheese, and red meat.

Vitamin K

One of the most important nutrients for promoting healthy teeth and gums is vitamin K. This vitamin helps promote bone health by regulating calcium levels in the body, as well as helping to maintain a healthy range of motion in the jaw joints, allowing for comfortable chewing and normal speech. In addition, vitamin K has been shown to directly inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, which are known to cause cavities. Because of this, vitamin K can help to reduce the need for restorative dental treatments like fillings and crowns by helping to prevent tooth decay in the first place!

Find out more about oral health by scheduling an appointment at the Rio Rancho Family Dental Care clinic. Call us at (505) 891-4510 or drop in at our dental office, located at 4041 Ridge Rock Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.