3 Best Vitamins for Teeth [+5 Oral Care tips]

A diet rich in vitamins would help naturally strengthen our body internally, bones, teeth, hair, and skin need vitamins and minerals the most.

Vitamins for teeth? That sounds unusual, but believe us when we say that is definitely true. Your teeth need vitamins just as your body requires them! They help keep your teeth sparkling and gums healthy.

Have your visits to the dentist become more regular than they should be?

Maybe increasing your vitamin intake can help!

Vitamins for teeth can help maintain your oral health and ensure that they are receiving all the nutrients they require.

Teeth and how to care for them.

The teeth are an essential part of the oral cavity, not only for chewing, but also for speech. 

The enamel that forms the first layer of the teeth is considered to be the hardest substance in the human body. Harder than our bones! [1]

Did you know that the dentine has a slight yellow tinge and therefore our teeth can appear slightly yellow!

Although they are considered the hardest part of our body, it is still integral to take care of.

Apart from the general oral hygiene that you are supposed to follow, it is also important to ensure that your teeth are receiving all the right nutrients, especially vitamins, and that is exactly what we will cover in this article.

Vitamins are organic substances present in minute quantities in various foods. They are essential for the functioning of your body. There are a total of thirteen essential vitamins- Vitamins A,D,E,K,C and the B vitamins (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B7,B9 and B12).

Each of these vitamins are essential to the body and play specific roles that help enhance our overall health.

Our body depends on external sources for certain vitamins, and can synthesize a few others.

Vitamin B7 and Vitamin K are synthesized by the bacteria in our intestine, and Vitamin D is synthesized by the epidermal layer of the skin when exposed to sunlight.

However, our body relies on our diet, and supplements for the intake of other vitamins like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, etc. 

Vitamins are further classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble.

Water-soluble vitamins can not be stored in the body, and any excess will be passed out in the form of urine. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for days and, at times, months. They are stored mainly in fatty tissues and the liver.

Vitamins B and C are water-soluble, and Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble.

What are the best vitamins for teeth?

 Consuming the right nutrients through your diet not only helps strengthen the body but can also play a crucial role in your oral health.

The first point of contact for all the nutrients you consume is your mouth. This means that the nutrients reach your teeth and gums first and help start the process of digestion. The process of chewing can help extract a significant number of nutrients from your food. 

Therefore, taking the right vitamins can keep your teeth enamel healthy and protect your teeth against acid erosion [2]. Conversely, nutrient deficiencies can also be detected depending on your oral health.

Today we’ll be talking about vitamins in particular and how they help maintain our oral health. 

The following are a list of vitamins your teeth and gums require to stay healthy.

Vitamin A (also known Retinol or Beta carotene) [2] [3]

Vitamin A is essential for your saliva production. Saliva can help break down food while also cleaning bacteria from between your teeth.

Vitamin A, along with Phosphorus, helps protect our teeth enamel and prevents teeth sensitivity. 

Vitamin A deficiency has also been associated with impaired tooth function, periodontitis, enamel hypoplasia, and decreased oral epithelial development.

Food sources of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potato, kale, broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, apricot, melon and milk.

Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid)

It helps in building and improving the immune system. 

Blood formation, blood vessel protection, and healing are performed by vitamin C. It also helps stop bleeding gums by keeping the connective tissue healthy and strong. It can also help reduce erosive tooth wear during early childhood.

Vitamin C can help improve the gingival bleeding in gingivitis, but not in periodontitis. Consumption of vitamin C has shown a reduced risk of periodontitis [3] [4].

Food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, berries, Brussels, sprouts, spinach, other fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin D (also known as the sunshine vitamin or cholecalciferol) [3] [5]

It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is present in foods and is also available as a supplement. Vitamin D consumed with the right amount of calcium can help strengthen your teeth while also reducing the risk of tooth decay.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause gingival inflammation, cavities, and gum diseases. It also plays a vital role in teeth and bone mineralization.

Food sources of vitamin D include fortified milk and cereals with supplements. Standing under the sun for a few minutes counts too.

Does taking a vitamin pill help your teeth? If yes, when should you take them?

Vitamins can help prevent various oral diseases and dental caries like regular toothache, bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity, and sharp pains after consuming sweets.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consider consuming foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D. 

However, sometimes due to external factors, you may not find the right vitamins in your diet. Other times, even though you’re eating right, your body may not be able to absorb all of the vitamins because they may not be bioavailable.

When such conditions present themselves, you turn to supplements, and in this case, vitamin pills.

These pills can help satiate your body’s needs and can help prevent various dental diseases.

The following are vitamins, their food sources, and what dental problem they can prevent or cure,

Vitamins

Food Sources

Cures

Vitamin A

Carrots, Sweet potato, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Pumpkin, Apricot, Melon and Milk

Dry Mouth

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits, Berries, Brussels, Sprouts, Spinach

Bleeding Gums

Vitamin D

Fortified milk and Cereals

Bad Breath

Oral health contributes to the overall well being of a person; therefore, ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy becomes essential.

 Specific factors that might affect your dental hygiene and oral health are as follows,

  1. Excessive consumption of sugars and sugary food.

  2. Improper chewing of food can lead to food particle stagnation in the mouth.

  3. Consumption of high citric based food can cause tooth decay. 

  4. Overconsumption of coffee or tea can stain your teeth.

  5. Consumption of aerated drinks and alcohol regularly.

  6. Smoking and chewing tobacco can alter your taste buds negatively. Long time cigarette and tobacco usage can also lead to oral cancers.

Is it essential to take vitamins to maintain your oral health?

If you consume a nutritious meal daily and get your required amounts of vitamins, you may not need to take any vitamin pills for your teeth since you probably already consume them in your diet.

So no, it is not essential to take vitamin pills for your teeth problem, but it is best to consult with your dentist since your oral health is best dealt with under their supervision.

However, it does not harm to take a few dietary supplements if you suspect that you might be at the risk of a deficiency. Again, always consult a doctor before doing so.

Your oral health is essential and should not be neglected since simple teeth problems can lead to more significant issues such as cavities and cracked teeth in the long run.

General oral hygiene tips

Here are some tips to help maintain your dental health.

  1. Brush twice a day.

  2. Use a soft brush.

  3. Clean your tongue.

  4. Make sure to floss your teeth every week.

  5. Wash your mouth after every meal.

Always visit a dentist every six months to keep track of your oral health.

Wrapping up

Vitamins can be vital to your oral health.

Vitamins A, C and D are some of the best vitamins for teeth. They help deal with a variety of problems, all spanning from tooth pain to bad breath.

Always make sure to follow healthy oral hygiene habits for strong and healthy teeth.

What next?

Learn the essentials of creating a healthy body using this health checklist.

FAQ

1. Which vitamin deficiency causes yellow teeth?

Vitamin C deficiency causes yellow teeth. Integrate citrus fruits, berries, Brussels, sprouts, spinach into your diet for reversing the effects.

2. What are the best vitamins for overall oral health?

Vitamins A, C and D are the best vitamins for maintaining oral health.

3. Can you suggest any supplements to strengthen teeth?

Integrate vitamins A, C and D to improve the quality of your diet, these are the best vitamins for teeth. Other than that, you can take calcium supplements to strengthen your teeth.

References

  1. Dental Health Services. “The hardest substance in the human body?” 2015
  2. Cagetti, M. G., Wolf, T. G., Tennert, C., Camoni, N., Lingström, P., & Campus, G. (2020). The Role of Vitamins in Oral Health. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(3), 938. 
  3. Ana Gutierrez Gossweiler 1, E Angeles Martinez-Mier. “Chapter 6: Vitamins and Oral Health.” PubMed, 2020
  4. Akio Tada1,* and Hiroko Miura. “The Relationship between Vitamin C and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review.” PMC, 2019
  5. João Botelho,1,2,*† Vanessa Machado,1,2,3,† Luís Proença,4 Ana Sintra Delgado,2,3 and José João Mendes. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Oral Health: A Comprehensive Review.” PMC, 2020
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