There are many components to consider when maintaining a healthy oral care regimen. Although brushing twice daily for two minutes and flossing once daily are important factors in keeping the teeth strong and healthy, those aren’t the only components that will help prevent oral health issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. It’s important to consider the role vitamins and minerals play in maintaining good oral health.

What are the Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals?

Eating a balanced diet is essential because nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups promote healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin D, phosphorous, calcium, and vitamin C are some of the vitamins and minerals that the teeth need to stay strong and healthy. Calcium keeps the jaw bones strong enough to hold the teeth in place. However, calcium needs phosphorous to successfully utilize its bone-strengthening benefits. Vitamin D helps the body regulate its balance of calcium and phosphorous, which is important since enamel is mainly made up of calcium and phosphate. Vitamin D helps individuals increase the amount of calcium and phosphate they’re able to absorb as they chew food. Vitamin D is also known to help reduce gum inflammation, which could be a sign of gum disease. Lastly, because vitamin D receptors are found on the cells of the teeth, consuming more vitamin D will increase the amount of good antimicrobial proteins, which fights the bacteria that causes cavities. Overall, consuming these vitamins and minerals will help the teeth fight demineralization that occurs when bacteria sticks to the teeth.

Which Foods Contain Essential Vitamins and Minerals?

Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, calcium-rich foods, and whole grains should be incorporated into one’s oral health care regimen. Some calcium-rich foods include low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, canned salmon, almonds and dark green leafy vegetables. Phosphorous can be found in eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts, and beans. Vitamin C can be consumed by eating citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach. Vitamin D can be absorbed from natural sunlight or consumed by eating dairy products, eggs, and oily fish, such as tuna or sardines.

At McBride Dental, we advise our patients to maintain a balanced diet in between their regular visits with us to ensure that their teeth remain strong and healthy.

San Diego Preventative Care

At McBride Dental, we offer a variety of preventative care services to help our patients maintain optimal oral health. Our services include X-rays, deep cleanings, dental sealants, and more. We encourage our patients to visit our office every six months so we can help them prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and any other oral care issue. We offer recommendations for our patients to incorporate into their oral homecare routines, such as to avoid sugary foods and to eat a nutritious diet filled with vitamins and minerals. If you are in the San Diego area and need preventative care services, call our office at 760-471-1003 to schedule an appointment today.