Just as the body requires certain vitamins and minerals, so does the mouth. Having healthy teeth and a great smile goes beyond brushing regularly and avoiding sugary foods. Some of the vitamins and minerals that protect the wellbeing of the mouth are listed below:
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin A also helps the mouth produce adequate saliva; this is important to ward off infection. Furthermore, it protects the membranes that cover the gums and the inner cheeks from diseases. Common sources of vitamin A include carrots, oranges, fish, egg yolk, and dark leafy greens.
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The B Vitamins
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Some B vitamins, especially niacin and riboflavin, protect the mouth from sores and inflammation. If you have inflamed tongues, gums, or canker sores, ingesting these vitamins will provide relief before you see your dentist. Riboflavin and niacin can be found in red meat, fish, poultry birds, dairy products, legumes, almonds, and spinach.
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Vitamin C
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Vitamin C strengthens the connective tissues in the gums, helping to prevent bleeding gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis. A lack of vitamin C has also been known to cause scurvy. Good sources of vitamin C are oranges, berries, peppers, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and kale.
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Calcium
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Since the teeth and the jaw bones are primarily made of calcium, the more calcium in the body, the stronger they are and the better their development. When you don’t consume enough calcium, the body takes some from your bones, compromising their integrity. Calcium can be readily found in dairy products, leafy greens, sardines, almonds, broccoli, oysters, and legumes. You can also talk to your dentist about getting calcium supplements.
If these vitamins and minerals are part of your daily diet, your mouth gets the nourishment it needs to stay healthy. It also does not hurt that these nutrients help the rest of your body in many other ways.