Vitamins and Supplements For Healthier Teeth and Gums

Your entire body requires the proper balance of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Vitamins and minerals can be easily incorporated into your daily diet by eating certain foods and taking daily supplements. 

Routine visits to your dentist and maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home are essential; however, the foods you eat can be a more significant factor than you may think. Consuming foods full of vitamins and nutrients can help you fight gum disease and decay. Be sure your diet features these nutritional building blocks for healthier teeth and gums.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an excellent way to prevent dry mouth and helps your mouth heal quickly. Eating foods abundant in vitamin A is an excellent way to combat dry mouth, which can be a typical side effect of many medications.

Vitamin A comes primarily from animal sources, including:

Hard-Boiled Eggs - Roughly 8% of your daily vitamin A value can be found in one large hard-boiled egg. 

Bluefin Tuna - About 25% of your daily value of vitamin A can come from a single serving of bluefin tuna. 

Cheddar Cheese - One serving of cheddar cheese contains about 10% of your daily value of vitamin A. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports your body's entire immune system. It's also a vital component in protecting your gums and teeth. There are many simple ways to ensure your body gets enough Vitamin C, including foods and supplements. 

Vitamin C can be found in many foods, including:

Broccoli - A half-cup of broccoli contains roughly 57% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. To get the most out of broccoli, steam it for about 5 minutes before consuming. 

Chili Peppers -Chili peppers contain about 120% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. Adding chili peppers to a dish is a quick and easy way to get vitamin C and add some flavor to your cooking.

Sweet Yellow Peppers - Yellow peppers have over 150% of your daily recommended value and are a tasty way to eat your vitamins. 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D improves bone mineral density throughout the body. Vitamin D also helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are necessary for keeping bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. Vitamin D Supplements are an effortless way to ensure your body is getting the recommended amount each day.

Natural Ways To Get Vitamin D include:

Egg Yolks - The amount of vitamin D found in egg yolks can vary; however, free-range chickens or chickens fed grain high in vitamin D give you the maximized amount in your eggs. 

Salmon - A single serving of salmon contains 165% of your daily value. 

Canned Tuna - Canned tuna contains about half the daily recommended value of vitamin D. It can be easily incorporated into salads, put onto sandwiches, or used in casseroles. 

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps to keep your bones healthy. Vitamin K is a group of vitamins that the body needs for blood clotting, helping to mend wounds. When taken by mouth, the two forms of vitamin K (vitamin K1 and vitamin K2) are considered safe for most people when taken appropriately.

Natural Ways To Get Vitamin K include:

Spinach - One cup of raw spinach has around 120% of your daily value of vitamin K. 

Brussels Sprouts - Half a cup of Brussels sprouts contains almost 90% of your daily value. 

Hard Cheeses -One ounce of hard cheese contains about 20% of your daily value of vitamin K and can be tossed over sauteed Brussels sprouts for a one-two punch of vitamin K. 

Your Dentist Plays a Big Role In Gum and Tooth Health, Too 

Having your teeth cleaned and examined by your dentist every six months plays a critical role in maintaining your teeth and gums' health. It can be tricky to determine if your teeth and gums receive the nutrients they need to stay healthy on your own, which is where your dentist can help. 

During a routine exam, your dentist can tell whether your teeth show signs of vitamin deficiency. They can also suggest specific changes you can make to your diet to improve your overall oral health. At Tompkins Dental, we want to help you develop good eating habits that directly contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.