How do you keep your teeth and gums in top shape? When it comes to keeping your mouth healthy., oral hygiene is only one part of the equation. Your mouth needs good nutrition for it to function well and build a strong defense against disease-causing bacteria.
Incorporate these nutritional building blocks to your daily diet:
Calcium
Well known to be the teeth’s best friend, calcium is a mineral that helps build and provide structural support to your teeth and bones. It also builds the bone’s defense against osteoporosis which can cause bone fracture and weak bone tissues surrounding the teeth.
Calcium helps solidify the enamel and fortify the jawbone. Foods rich in calcium are milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, salmon, green leafy vegetables, and cauliflower,
Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin doesn’t only provide wonderful benefits to the skin but also regulates blood levels of phosphorus and calcium. Vitamin deficiency reduces the body’s ability to absorb calcium it needs to develop strong and healthy teeth and bones. In addition to a 15-minute exposure to the sun for about three times a week, you can get ample Vitamin D that your body requires from milk, breakfast cereals and cod liver capsules.
Coenzyme Q10
Produced naturally by the body, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is known as a catalyst for good metabolism. The mineral provides the cells with the energy they need to repair wounds, digest food well and maintain strong muscles. In the mouth, CoQ10 can help reduce pain, heal and minimize the bleeding cause by gum disease. It can also reduce gum inflammation. Excellent sources of CoQ10 are beef, pork, chicken liver, vegetable oils like canola and soybean, as well as parsley.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential mineral to a good periodontal health. It helps in facilitating connective tissue repair which is necessary in reducing gum inflammation. People with low levels of Vitamin C may have a difficult time maintaining healthy connective tissues in the gums. When left unaddressed, this condition may lead to a serious gum problem called scurvy. Being a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C is also powerful mineral that can boost the immune system and accelerate healing. Get your daily dose of Vitamin C from broccoli, citrus fruit, berries and kale among other fruit and vegetables.
B vitamins
For stress control, reduced tongue inflammation and less painful canker sores, consume B vitamins. Abundant sources of B vitamins are poultry, meat, beans, legumes and green vegetables. Vegans might need to load up on food supplements to get enough B vitamins that the body requires.
Vitamin A
In addition to clear eyesight, healthy-looking skin and strong immune system, eating Vitamin A-rich foods can make your mucous membranes and salivary flow healthy. Foods rich in Vitamin A are liver, egg yolks, orange and yellow foods (carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes) and dark leafy greens like spinach, kale.
Adding these vitamins and food items to your diet not only leads to a healthier mouth but also a quality life. Eat your way to a healthier mouth today and live a better life tomorrow.
Regular visits to a trusted dentist is also vital in your journey towards a good oral health. For a reliable dental practice in Oshawa, contact Simcoe Smile Dental at (289) 312-1482.