Vitamins For Healthy Teeth And Gums

vitaminsYou don’t always get the right amount of proper vitamins and nutrients from what you eat. That’s why sometimes your doctor suggests you take vitamins, to help keep your body healthy. But what about your teeth? Do you ever hear your dentist suggest vitamins for healthy teeth? Maybe not, but there are certain vitamins that can help maintain tooth and gum health.  You can either choose to take supplements, or try to incorporate healthy, vitamin-rich foods into your diet. Even if you do eat healthy, don’t skimp on your dental hygiene or your regular visits to your Park Ridge dentistsDr. Thanasi Loukas and Dr. Maria Loukas. They are dedicated to offering the best care for your entire family.

Vitamins

There are at least five vitamins that can help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy:

Vitamin A:  Vitamin A helps maintains the healthy mucous membranes and soft tissue in your body, and can help heal inflamed gums. Fat helps your body absorb vitamin A, so if you are choosing to take a supplement take it with a meal. A vitamin A deficiency can lower your resistance to infections. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory gum disease that can cause infection. Foods with vitamin A include:

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Cheese
  • Beef
  • Liver
  • Sweet Potatoes

Vitamin B:  It is important to maintain adequate levels of vitamin B to avoid sensitive or irritated oral mucous membranes, receding gums that can lead to periodontal disease, and toothaches.  Foods with vitamin B include:

  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Mushrooms

Vitamin C:  Vitamin C helps promote the healing of gingival inflammation and bleeding gums. It also promotes the formation of connective gingival tissue.  Foods high in vitamin C include:

  • Fruits such as strawberries that are not too acidic
  • Vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and potatoes
  • Fortified grains

Vitamin D:  Vitamin D aids the body in the absorption of calcium which is important to the development and maintenance of tooth and bone health. Recent research indicates that children that don’t get enough vitamin D can suffer poor dental health, and infants of pregnant women who don’t get sufficient amounts of vitamin during gestation also suffer poor dental health after birth and into adulthood. Vitamin D can also help prevent gingival inflammation.  Sources of vitamin D include:

  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Fatty fishes
  • Sun exposure–according to studies, 15 minutes of sun exposure daily helps maintain vitamin D levels

Vitamin E:  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can be rubbed on the gingival tissue to help heal, relieve redness, swelling, and soreness. Foods high in vitamin E include:

  • Nuts
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Tomato paste
  • Turnip greens
  • Sunflower seeds

About Loukas General Dentistry

Dr. Thanasi Loukas and Dr. Maria Loukas provide stellar general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care with the latest technologies. Loukas General Dentistry serves Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule a consultation, call Loukas Family Dentistry at (847) 696-1919.

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