5 Most Essential Vitamins for Teeth and Gums

Vitamins are essential for our overall health and well-being. They play a vital role in our body's metabolism. There are many essential vitamins, and each of them has a specific function. Listed below are the important vitamins for your teeth and gums.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is essential for healthy oral tissue. In fact, a deficiency in vitamin B6 has been linked to problems with tooth enamel formation along with gum disease and oral cancer as well. However, there is good news! You can easily get the appropriate amount of B6 from your diet by eating things like mushrooms, spinach, bananas, chicken, turkey breast, tuna, dried beans, salmon, sweet potatoes, potatoes, chickpeas, and eggs. Just be sure not to overindulge, as too much vitamin B6 can cause nausea. Too much of a good thing is never good when it comes to vitamins.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B-12 is an important vitamin that your body requires in order to properly produce red blood cells, nerve cells, and DNA. Your body also needs this nutrient to keep your brain and nervous system working properly. Vitamin B-12 is commonly found in meat products and can be absorbed into your body through eating animal products. However, vegetarians and vegans have to take extra precautions to ensure that they're getting enough vitamin B-12 in their diet. Luckily, there are many foods that are rich in vitamin B12, such as shellfish, eggs, fish, chicken, beef liver, milk, and yogurt.

Vitamin C

Yes, vitamin C is good for more than your immune system. It also keeps your gums healthy by fighting inflammation. It's found in citrus fruits and dark leafy greens. You'll also find it in many multivitamins.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps make sure your teeth have adequate amounts of calcium. That allows your teeth to stay strong and healthy. You can find vitamin K in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and collard greens. However, it's also a common ingredient in most multivitamins, too.

Vitamin D

Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. This vitamin is mostly found in fortified milk and fatty fish like tuna, but it can also be absorbed by sunlight exposure. Your dentist may suggest taking extra vitamin D supplements if you show symptoms of deficiency, such as being unusually sensitive to colds or experiencing frequent bone fractures. These symptoms may also be a sign of osteoporosis or other conditions that affect the bones in the body.

To learn more, please reach out to our dental practice at(509) 946-9313 or schedule an appointment, and we'll guide you further. You can visit us at 90 Columbia Point Drive, Richland, WA 99352, to have a consultation with our dentists.