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Eat for your Teeth: Dental Nutrition

Michael Wahl • Aug 12, 2017

Nutrition is important to your ongoing health. So don’t just eat with your teeth, eat for them! Eating for your teeth is as important as getting your regular dental checkups twice each year. There are several key vitamins and nutrients that will help you maintain your great smile for years to come.

Calcium 1

When you think of the important vitamins and minerals for your teeth, the first that typically comes to mind is Calcium. This essential mineral is the most abundant mineral in the body. Your body uses it to help form strong bones, and strong teeth, but also for a variety of other functions in the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. You can help your body to absorb this key mineral by pairing it with Vitamin D.

Where to find it : You can get this mineral from dairy products, soy, leafy greens and fish.

How much :

Women

Under age 50 1000mg daily
Age 50 and older 1200mg (over 50)

Men

Under age 70 1000mg daily
Age 70 and older 1200mg (over 50)

Vitamin: D 2

Vitamin D is to Calcium as peanut butter is to jelly. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb the Calcium that your body receives. That’s why it’s often added to dairy products (such as milk). There are several types of vitamin D that your body needs, but the most prevalent are Vitamin D2 and D3. Without sufficient levels of Vitamin D, your body will break down bone to get the needed calcium, putting your teeth and bones at risk for becoming brittle.

Where to find it : You can get this micro-nutrient from sunlight, supplements, and some foods (wild-caught salmon, mackerel and tuna).

How much :

Women and Men

Under age 50 400-800 international units (IU) daily**
Age 50 and older 800-1,000 IU daily**

Phosphorous

Another key building block for strong bones and teeth, Phosphorus is the second most prevalent mineral in your body. Typically, people get plenty of phosphorus in their diets, and the problems occur more from an over than an underabundance. It’s found in many different types of foods and typically does not require supplements.

Where to find it : You can get this micro-nutrient from sunlight, supplements, and some foods (wild-caught salmon, mackerel, and tuna).

How much :

Pediatric 3

  • Infants, 0 to 6 months: 100 mg daily
  • Infants, 7 to 12 months: 275 mg
  • Children, 1 to 3 years: 460 mg
  • Children, 4 to 8 years: 500 mg
  • Children, 9 to 18 years: 1,250 mg

Adult 3

  • Adults, 19 years and older: 700 mg
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding females under 18 years: 1,250 mg
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding females, 19 years and older: 700 mg

So eat up, eat healthy! At West One Family Dental, we believe your overall health starts with your dental health, and your dental health relies on great care and a great diet.

 

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • 01 Sep, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • 25 Aug, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • 18 Aug, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • 11 Aug, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • 28 Jul, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • 21 Jul, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • 14 Jul, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • 07 Jul, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • 01 Jul, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • 23 Jun, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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