The Importance Of Nutrients For Your Oral Health
Posted on: 8 November 2019
When it comes to nutrients and oral health, calcium is a common need that many people think about. This is partially ingrained in us due to years of seeing those cheesy PSAs on TV about how milk is good for your body and helps strengthen your bones. There are actually other nutrients that are just as important when it comes to oral health. Here are some things to incorporate into your diet that are better for your teeth.
Iron
Iron plays a key role in keeping gums healthy since your immune system can suffer if it is not getting enough iron. This causes more bacteria to form, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease as a result. If you are not getting enough iron in your diet, try eating dark meat instead of white meats, since dark meats have more iron in them. Pack some dried apricots as a snack for during the day and add lentils to your meals as a side dish.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays an important role in how calcium helps strengthen bones in the body, including your teeth. The magnesium is actually what helps the bones take in calcium that is found in your blood, which helps make it an effective way to strengthen your body. If you are not consuming enough magnesium, your body won't get the full effect. Consider eating more bananas and brown rice as basic foods that you can eat more often. For a snack during the day, try to eat sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps calcium improve your tooth enamel and not having enough vitamin D can actually have an effect on getting gum disease. While sunlight is the easiest way to get more vitamin D in your body, that is not always possible if you work an office job or see many overcast days during the winter.
Start incorporating more vitamin D into your diet with breakfast. Eggs are packed full of it and are very easy to cook in the morning. There are even cereals that have more vitamin D in them than other foods, making them a great choice to start your day. You can also take vitamin D supplements if you are still struggling to get enough of it.
Looking for more ways you can improve your oral health through the foods you eat? Reach out to your dentist during your next visit for some helpful information.
For more information, contact a dentist like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.
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