Vitamins play an essential role in overall oral health. They strengthen your gums and teeth, preventing problems like tooth sensitivity and periodontal disease.

Vitamin A

The vitamin A in cod liver oil helps maintain the health of your gums, offering help to prevent gingivitis. This vitamin also promotes saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria that cause cavities. These vitamins are often added to toothpaste and mouthwash as well. If you do not get enough vitamin A from your diet, your doctor may recommend you take supplements.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, has been shown to increase blood flow to the gums, which may help the gum tissue heal faster following a gum graft procedure. This vitamin may also help the body produce collagen, a protein that helps keep connective tissue strong and firm. Collagen may also reduce the appearance of wrinkles by tightening the skin. Studies have also shown vitamin B3 may reduce symptoms of gum disease by helping to increase saliva production and prevent plaque buildup. In addition to its benefits for oral health, vitamin B3 may also help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A deficiency in vitamin B3 can cause symptoms like fatigue, dry skin, depression, irritability, frequent illness, diarrhea, insomnia, low blood sugar, and a fast heartbeat. Foods that contain this vitamin include meat, poultry, eggs, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and avocados. This vitamin is also produced naturally in the body via bacteria in the intestines and skin.

Vitamin D

Mouth pain, cavities, and gum disease are not uncommon issues among patients, especially those who are older or don’t regularly consume healthy foods. This is because vitamin D is an essential vitamin that regulates calcium in the body. Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth, so a lack of it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. The good news is there are several delicious foods that are high in vitamin D that you can incorporate into your diet, such as fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, mushrooms, and liver. You can also take supplements if you live in an area that is deficient in this vital nutrient. 

Vitamin C and K

The vitamin in oranges and other citrus fruits, vitamin C, helps protect your teeth from decay by strengthening your enamel. If your mouth already has damage, eating foods high in vitamin C can help rebuild the damaged tissue so that it’s stronger and less likely to weaken.

Eating plenty of berries — which are high in both vitamin C and K, as we discuss in the next section — will help protect your teeth against decay.

Vitamin C is also a crucial part of your body’s ability to absorb iron. If you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you may suffer from anemia because your body can’t properly absorb nutrients like iron. You can get more vitamin C into your diet by eating foods like bell peppers, strawberries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, tomatoes, and many other fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin K is necessary for helping your body produce healthy amounts of saliva. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and debris from your teeth to prevent tooth decay. It also helps neutralize acids in your mouth so that the pH balance stays balanced. Without the right amount of vitamin K in your diet, you are more likely to experience dry mouth.

To learn more tips to take care of your teeth and oral health, call Tijuana Dental Studio at (619) 955-6901 (USA) or (664) 685-6460 (Mexico). You can also visit us at Calle Quinta, Zona Centro, Tijuana Baja California 7974.