Nutrition and Oral Health: Which Nutrients Are Most Important
For most of our patients, it is no longer news that maintaining healthy eating habits brings many benefits to oral health.
Just as the regular consumption of sugary foods and drinks has a great influence on the development of cavities, there are many foods that are beneficial for the teeth and gums, making them stronger and healthier. A balanced and well-informed diet can be essential for maintaining good oral health. With this topic in mind, we have summarized some important nutrients in this area.
Just as the regular consumption of sugary foods and drinks has a great influence on the development of cavities, there are many foods that are beneficial for the teeth and gums, making them stronger and healthier. A balanced and well-informed diet can be essential for maintaining good oral health. With this topic in mind, we have summarized some important nutrients in this area.
Calcium
Although calcium is mostly associated with strengthening bones, its deficiency can also be harmful to dental structure.
Calcium strengthens the outer layer of the teeth—the enamel—making it less vulnerable to erosion and dental caries. Foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, salmon, kale, spinach, nuts, and beans are rich in calcium.
Calcium strengthens the outer layer of the teeth—the enamel—making it less vulnerable to erosion and dental caries. Foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, salmon, kale, spinach, nuts, and beans are rich in calcium.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in oral health, albeit indirectly, as it regulates calcium levels in the body, which, as we have seen, is essential for protecting teeth.
Vitamin D is produced in the body through sun exposure and can also be obtained through diet and supplementation. Foods rich in this vitamin include fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, cod liver oil, egg yolk, and some mushrooms.
Vitamin D is produced in the body through sun exposure and can also be obtained through diet and supplementation. Foods rich in this vitamin include fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, cod liver oil, egg yolk, and some mushrooms.
Fibers
Foods rich in fiber require more chewing time to be broken down. This increases saliva production, which helps balance the pH in the mouth, making it harder for cavities to develop. During chewing, the fibers themselves also help remove some impurities from the tooth surface.
The richest fiber foods include seeds from leguminous plants such as beans, peas, and chickpeas, as well as whole grains like bran, wholemeal flours, and cereals such as brown rice, oats, wheat, corn, and granola.
The richest fiber foods include seeds from leguminous plants such as beans, peas, and chickpeas, as well as whole grains like bran, wholemeal flours, and cereals such as brown rice, oats, wheat, corn, and granola.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a very important role in maintaining the immune system, which protects us from bacterial and viral infections that can affect the mouth, causing canker sores, inflammation of the gums, bone, and other supporting tissues of the teeth. A strong immune system helps prevent problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis, other lesions like canker sores, and even oral cancer.
Water
Drinking water is important to help remove debris, sugars, and acids that remain on the teeth after consuming food and beverages. Additionally, most waters contain fluoride, which, when in contact with the tooth surface, protects and increases resistance against bacterial action.
To ensure a diet suited to your specific needs, we recommend consulting your dentist for personalised advice.
At the Prof. Machado Capelas Clinic, we care for each patient from an individual perspective. If you require ongoing support, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To ensure a diet suited to your specific needs, we recommend consulting your dentist for personalised advice.
At the Prof. Machado Capelas Clinic, we care for each patient from an individual perspective. If you require ongoing support, please do not hesitate to contact us.