6 Vitamins and Minerals That Are Good for Your Gums

Roughly 50% of people over age 30 have some form of gum disease. With regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist, gum disease is easy to prevent. If you want to raise your chances of preventing gum disease, even more, continue reading to learn about six vitamins and minerals that you can incorporate into your daily diet to strengthen your gums.

#1: Calcium

Calcium is essential for building strong bones and providing adequate structural support. Additionally, calcium helps strengthen your tooth enamel and your jawbone. If you don’t get enough of it, you’re at risk for tooth decay and may even develop periodontal disease. In addition to milk, you can get calcium from cheese, yogurt, salmon, and broccoli.

#2: Vitamin C

This vitamin promotes healthy mouth tissue and is effective at preventing gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. With that being said, a vitamin C deficiency doesn’t cause periodontal disease. Even so, patients with severe periodontitis, the most serious form of gum disease, tend to take in less vitamin C, which can worsen the condition. Vitamin C can be found in potatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens.

#3: Vitamin A

To keep your mucus membranes healthy, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin A. It helps your mouth heal faster and also prevents dry mouth, which puts your gums at a higher risk of developing gum disease. Vitamin A can be found in spinach, kale, carrots, egg yolks, pumpkin, fish, and liver.

#4: Vitamin D

Since vitamin helps your body absorb calcium, having an inadequate amount of it can lead to a severe calcium deficiency. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D by spending time in the sun and eating foods like egg yolks, fortified milk, canned tuna, portobello mushrooms, and fatty fish.

#5: Phosphorus

Phosphorus works with calcium and Vitamin D to keep the teeth, gums, and jaws strong. It can be found in scallops, tuna, sardines, cod, and shrimp as well as plant-based foods, like soybeans, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.

#6: Potassium

Dietary potassium improves the density of bone minerals by working in conjunction with magnesium to neutralize acid load and reduce calcium loss from the bone. Without it, you would have a higher chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Potassium can be absorbed through eating tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, avocados, lima beans, sweet potatoes, and prunes.

To keep your mouth healthy, make sure to incorporate these vitamins and minerals into your daily diet. This way, you’ll be giving your smile the nutrients it needs to stay strong, bright, and beautiful!

About the Author

If you need tips on how to strengthen your smile against gum disease, Huntington Beach Periodontics can help. Dr. Justin Braga leads a team of talented oral health professionals who aim to provide the resident of Huntington Beach and the surrounding communities with the knowledge they need to maintain healthy, beautiful smiles that will last a lifetime. Are you ready to set up an appointment or have more questions about how to incorporate vitamins and minerals into your diet to keep gum disease at bay? Visit Huntington Beach Periodontics’ website or call their office at (714) 587-9094 to get started.