When it comes to general dentistry, your dentist in Springfield, MO, can do only so much. He or she can clean your teeth, perform any cosmetic dentistry procedures you need, provide wisdom teeth removal, beg you to floss each day, and do other things to improve your oral health, but at the end of the day, you need to actively engage with your oral health. Believe it or not, diet plays a huge role in the state of your teeth. You might be nodding your head ironically right now, saying, “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it before. Soda is bad.” But did you know many foods actually improve the health of your teeth? You can practice preventative general dentistry in the form of a balanced, healthy diet. Parkcrest Dental Group is here to share how to do so.
Related Post: General Dentistry: Best Diet For Your Oral Health (Part II)
Best Vitamins and Minerals for Preventative General Dentistry
In part II we will move on to the foods that help you maintain your oral health and work toward preventative general dentistry. Today, we want to talk about the minerals and vitamins most beneficial to your teeth and gums.
Calcium
Should this really surprise anyone? Calcium works wonders when it comes to strengthening and reinforcing our bones. Why shouldn’t it do so when strengthening our enamel? Crystalline calcium phosphate, also known as hydroxyapatite, makes up the largest percentage of all minerals in your enamel. Calcium is even in the name!
Phosphate
The other side of the same main mineral to your enamel, phosphate bonds with calcium to provide the strength both your bones and enamel need. Eating foods high phosphate and calcium increase the strength of your enamel, protecting your teeth.
Vitamin D
Your body can’t get enough calcium, no matter how much milk you drink, without vitamin D. Think of vitamin D as the gatekeeper that allows calcium to pass into your enamel and bone. Without a healthy dose of vitamin D, your body can absorb only so much calcium.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C bolsters your immune system and helps fight inflammation. This helps prevent gum disease. Collagen also reduces the likelihood of gum disease, and your body needs vitamin C in order to produce collagen.
Probiotics
When we think of bacteria and teeth, we cringe or sprint to the bathroom to brush our teeth, but not all bacteria are bad. Probiotics help your digestive system and might improve your oral health. Researchers sit on the fence when it comes to probiotics, but some studies found that probiotics helped reduce gum inflammation and cavities.
Talk to the Dentists at Parkcrest Dental Group Today
Though balanced diet gets you on the right track with preventative general dentistry, much of your oral health depends on professionals. Our general dentistry professionals have years of experience treating just about any oral affliction you can think of. If you need dental implants, teeth whitening, other cosmetic dentistry procedures, or just a routine cleaning, contact Parkcrest Dental Group.
