There’s a lot of hype in the dental industry with manufacturers of toothpastes and mouthwashes constantly unveiling the next best thing to prevent cavities or eliminate gum disease. There’s often the mentality that if, you just buy this one miracle product, you’re home free. That’s unfortunate because what your teeth and gums really need are nutrients. Here’s a quick look at the top 15 vitamins and minerals your smile is craving now.
1) Vitamin A
Research shows vitamin A plays a pivotal role in many aspects of oral health, such as creating saliva, which promotes healthy tissues and removes bacteria. It’s also beneficial in preventing gum disease, promotes healing, and helps teeth remineralize, so they’re more resistant to cavities.
2) Vitamin B1
Those who are deficient in vitamin B1 are more prone to have inflammatory conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. These conditions are linked to periodontal disease, which researchers believe are all influenced by inflammation. That in mind, getting enough B1 may help prevent gum disease, as well as help prevent things like cracked lips and angular cheilosis, which are the cracks that form at the corners of your mouth.
3) Vitamin B2
One of the many things vitamin B2 helps with is tissue health. Research indicates it can keep the corners of your mouth crack-free, prevent ulcerative gingivitis, and thwart inflammation.
4) Vitamin B3
Even though vitamin B3 impacts your mouth the same way B2 does—keeping sores, inflammation, and ulcerative gingivitis at bay—your body requires both.
5) Vitamin B6
Research shows low B6 is associated with anemia, which creates a number of oral health issues. This in mind, adequate B6 can help prevent periodontal disease and eliminate burning sensations in the mouth as well as sore tongues.
6) Vitamin C
Getting adequate vitamin C boosts your immune system, which helps your body fight off infections. Not surprisingly, it can help keep your gums healthier, prevent bleeding, and ensure oral wounds heal quicker too.
7) Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a huge component in healthy teeth and bones, plus it supports a healthy immune system. This means it plays a fundamental role in preventing both decay and gum disease.
8) Vitamin E
Typically associated with skin and immune system health, vitamin E also helps diabetics control blood glucose levels better too. Because of these aspects, it can reduce the risk of periodontal disease and support gum health. Plus, it’s a powerful antioxidant, which means it’s associated with cancer prevention as well.
9) Calcium
Most people are familiar with calcium. It’s one of the primary building blocks in healthy teeth and bones. Under the right conditions, demineralized teeth will pick calcium up from saliva and refortify themselves, thus naturally protecting themselves against cavities.
10) Vitamin K
Calcium cannot bind to bones and tissues unless vitamin K is present, so it plays a vital role in remineralization and cavity protection. Research shows it has antimicrobial properties too, which means it can eliminate bacteria responsible for decay and gum disease.
11) Phosphorus
Phosphorus is one of the most abundant minerals found in teeth and bones. It works similarly to calcium, fortifying them and aiding in remineralization, so teeth are less susceptible to decay.
12) Copper
The trace mineral copper helps teeth resist acid erosion and demineralization, thus shielding them from cavities. It has also been shown to inhibit bacterial growth, which means it can help prevent decay and disease. Plus, researchers have found that teeth with more copper are also rich in other minerals, which suggests the presence of copper increases mineral density as a whole.
13) Zinc
Zinc is copper’s agonist, meaning they fight to be absorbed in the same places, and like copper, it’s associated with improved mineral density and protection of acid erosion and demineralization. However, if the ratio becomes unbalanced between copper and zinc, health problems can occur. For this reason, nutritionists often recommend supplementing with both if you intend to supplement with one. Zinc has one other powerful benefit though, it helps promote the healing of sores and abrasions too.
14) Iron
Iron is necessary to stave off anemia, which iron can help prevent infections and periodontal disease. It may also reduce mouth sores and inflammation and is associated with oral cancer protection.
15) Manganese
Many enzyme reactions cannot occur without manganese, so it’s beneficial in preventing demineralization and strengthening teeth, which means it can help prevent decay. Moreover, inadequate manganese is linked to diabetes, which is associated with periodontal disease. This in mind, it can influence periodontal disease risk too.
Skip the Fluoride
Notice how this list includes a whole lot of nutrients, but doesn’t mention fluoride? That’s because your teeth don’t actually need it. Research shows that if your teeth are offered the nutrients they need in a non-acidic environment, they’ll naturally remineralize without it. That’s why all ORL toothpastes and mouthwashes contain the healthy vitamins and minerals outlined above, and deliver them in a perfectly pH balanced formula. No fluoride—just the good stuff your smile needs.
