5 Essential Vitamins for Teeth and Gums

Vitamin deficiencies can have a negative impact on your oral health. Good nutrition is key for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Listed below are five vitamins essential for strong teeth and a healthy mouth.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that your body needs in order to stay healthy, but did you know that it can also help you keep your teeth healthy? This vitamin is found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits, as well as in vegetables such as broccoli. It can also be found in some fruits, fruit juice, and even in multivitamins. This vitamin can help prevent scurvy as well as gingivitis. It can also help reduce the inflammation in your mouth that you’re experiencing from gum disease or teeth sensitivity. This is one of the most important vitamins that you can get to help keep your mouth healthy. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet is easy, and often, you’ll be able to get it from foods that you love to eat anyway. Consider adding this to your diet today, and you’ll be on your way to healthier teeth and gums.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D isn’t usually associated with dental health, but it actually plays an important part in oral health. Your body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium from the food you eat—so without getting enough vitamin D, your body will be unable to access the calcium it needs to prevent tooth erosion.

It also supports healthy gums. A vitamin D deficiency can cause swollen or bleeding gums. Getting more vitamin D, either through sunlight exposure or taking supplements, can help treat these symptoms.

Vitamin K

Many patients are unaware of how vitamins can affect their dental health, but vitamin K is especially important to oral health because it is essential for blood clotting. However, it is not only essential for preventing bleeding gums but also for treating them, as vitamin K can reduce inflammation in the gums. It is important to supplement the diet with foods high in vitamin K if it is lacking in one’s daily diet. Good sources of vitamin K include kale, spinach, broccoli, turnip greens, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, soybeans, kiwi, bell peppers, berries, and other fruits.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an important vitamin for gum health, which is why it’s found in many toothpastes. Its primary function is to maintain healthy mucous membranes. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to dry mouth symptoms like oral discomfort and bad breath.

This nutrient is also essential for tooth enamel building and maintenance. It helps ward off the buildup of plaque as well. A healthy level of vitamin A in your diet can also decrease your risk of periodontal disease.

Foods rich in iron, zinc, calcium, protein, and vitamin C are the best sources of this essential nutrient. Dairy products, meats, eggs, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, berries, and oranges are all great sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin B

There’s an important B-complex vitamin that helps keep your gums healthy, too: vitamin B-12. This essential vitamin can help your body produce red blood cells and keep your immune system strong and healthy, so you’re able to fight off infections. Vitamin B-12 can be found in certain meats and dairy foods, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. If you don’t get enough B-12 in your diet, you can supplement with an oral spray or pill. 

For personalized dental care for patients, schedule an appointment at Natural Smiles Dental Center by calling (703) 595-4405 or visiting us at 1800 Michael Faraday Dr. STE 205, Reston, VA 20190.