The Importance Of Good Nutrition In Keeping Your
Smile Beautiful And Your Mouth Healthy
Charlene J. Nuble
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from in
addition to regular brushing and flossing a daily diet that
does not lack the essential vitamins and minerals that make
vital contributions to a person’s oral health. Many people
overlook the importance of good nutrition in keeping their
smile beautiful and their mouth healthy.
The mineral calcium and Vitamin D are of particular importance
to obtaining healthy teeth. These two substances work together
as calcium absorption is enhanced by Vitamin D. Sufficient
calcium is essential to the very structure of the teeth as are
phosphorus and magnesium.
Vitamin A is an essential part of the production of the tooth
enamel. A deficiency in Vitamin A can cause overgrown gums,
bleeding gums and gum disease. Vitamin C because of its role in
the health and function of the small capillaries that bring
oxygen and nutrients throughout the body is also important to
oral health. Vitamin C deficiencies can result in bleeding gums
and loose teeth as well as mouth sores The Vitamin B complex is
also essential to a healthy mouth as deficiencies can cause
cracking and bleeding of the lips as well as open sores and
lesions on both the inside and outside of the mouth. These open
sores aside from the discomfort that they cause offer an
opportunity for a wide variety of bacteria, viruses and other
contaminants to enter the blood stream.
Fluoride is widely known as an important agent in the
prevention of tooth decay and is the active ingredient in the
vast majority of toothpastes in the market today. In addition
to acting to prevent tooth decay it also strengthens tooth
enamel, working in partnership with calcium and phosphorus.
Copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium are other minerals
that are essential to good oral health.
It is unfortunate but true that most people do not eat well
enough to obtain all of the vitamins, minerals and other
necessary nutrients through their daily diets alone. Failing to
meet the recommended daily intake levels of vitamins and
minerals can result in significant health problems. Therefore,
if you find that you are consistently not achieving these
intake levels in your day-to-day diet you may want to consider
using dietary supplements to meet your nutritional needs.
Dietary supplements are safe when used properly. However, they
should not be used as a substitute for healthy food as they are
meant to complement the diet and only work best when they have
real food to attach themselves to. If you find yourself unsure
of which daily supplements you should include in your
day-to-day nutritional plan a consultation with your healthcare
professional or a licensed nutritionist can help you to make the
selections best suited to your individual dietary needs and
health goals.
While a beautiful smile and healthy mouth are certainly
aesthetically pleasing and uplifting to one’s self-confidence,
attention to oral health serves a practical purpose as well.
Strong teeth mean that a wide variety of foods can be eaten
while a healthy mouth means that there are no open sores in the
mouth that can serve as an open invitation for bacteria, viruses
and other contaminants to enter the bloodstream to cause
illness, infection and disease. Making sure that your daily
intake of the vitamins and minerals associated with oral health
is sufficient in addition to daily dental care will ensure that
you can have a lovely smile.
