Key Nutrients in Dental Health

Vitamin C: Aids in the formation of collagen. It is important for the growth and repair of tissue cells, blood vessels, bones and teeth. It helps to heal wounds and bleeding gingiva. It accelerates healing after surgery, helps prevent receding gingiva, and gingival inflammation. It may reduce the risk of mouth cancer. It maintains connective tissue and fights infection.

Calcium: Helps to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Low calcium intake causes bone loss from the jawbone, and accelerates periodontal disease.

Vitamin D: Helps to properly utilize Calcium and Phosphorous. It is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Deficiencies can lead to osteoporosis, soft bones and teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Phosphorous: Helps Calcium formation for bones and teeth; important for tooth formation. Deficiencies can lead to bone disease and tooth and gingival disorders.

Magnesium: Helps in bone development; enhances the effect of vitamin C. Deficiencies can cause Calcium resorption, tooth decay, and soft bones.

Zinc: Regulates the inflammatory process; aids in wound healing; fights bad breath. Deficiencies can lead to poor healing, susceptibility to infection, and loss of taste.

Vitamin K: Aids Calcium absorption in bone
Vitamin E: Helps supply oxygen to the oral tissues, prevents and dissolves blood clots, helps healing.

Vitamin A: Strengthens bones; helps with the formation and maintenance of teeth, and health of the gingiva. Beta Carotene studies show it may reduce the risk of oral cancer; helps the healing process; stimulates our body’s defense system and guards against infection.

Selenium: Synergistic with vitamin E; important for tissue elasticity; increases resistance to infection; antioxidant

B-complex vitamins: Important for a healthy nervous system to minimize oral pain. This group includes vitamins B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B6 and B12, which help to form and regenerate red blood cells.

Manganese: Helps bone development.

Folic Acid: Helps prevent canker sores and red tongue; analgesic for pain; helps in the production of red blood cells. Aids in prevention of birth defects such as cleft lip and palate.

Biotin: Helps ease muscle pains; alleviates dermatitis and sore tongue.
Iodine: Helps dispose of body wastes, aids in tooth development.

Iron: Helps in the production of red blood cells; promotes resistance to disease; improves health of the teeth, skin and bones

Copper: Aids in bone formation and healing.

References
1. Whitney, Elenor Noss; Hamilton, Eva May Nunnelley; Rolfes, Sharon Rady. "Understanding Nutrition." West Publishing Company. Fifth Edition 1990. Pp. 190-342.
2. Flora Parsa Stay, D.D.S. "The Complete Book of Dental Remedies." Avery Publishing Group. Garden City, N.Y. 1996. Pp. 14-28.
3. Lust, John. "The Herb Book." Bantam Books. 1974. Pp. 496-506.