Most of us are aware that consuming excessive amounts of sugary foods and acidic drinks, such as sodas, contributes to tooth decay. A mineral that restores teeth and gums from decay is an integral part of the constant battle for a healthy smile. But which mineral is it? Your dentist in Charlotte, NC, is here to explain which minerals are crucial for your teeth and gums.
The Key Mineral That Restores Teeth and Gums Is Calcium
When we talk about the strength of teeth, calcium is often the first mineral that comes to mind. It’s well known that calcium deficiency affects teeth, with periodontal disease and tooth loss being possible outcomes of long-term calcium deficiency. Calcium strengthens tooth enamel and dentin, providing structural integrity to teeth.
It also helps keep your jawbone strong and healthy, which is a benefit for your teeth that we cannot overlook. Lastly, it helps prevent gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums – calcium-rich diets lower your risk of this disease.
Phosphorus Is Another Mineral Essential for a Healthy Smile
Without phosphorus, not even all the calcium in the world would help you maintain oral health – it’s a mineral that has to be combined with calcium in order for calcium to be efficiently absorbed into your teeth. If there’s not enough phosphorus, calcium can’t be integrated into the enamel. When combined, phosphorus and calcium form calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite crystals, the substances that give teeth their durability and resilience.
We Must Note the Importance of Potassium and Magnesium
Adequate levels of potassium lower your risk of gum disease and dental plaque – a slimy film that covers your teeth, made of bacteria (commonly Streptococcus mutans), saliva, and food particles combined. It’s easy to figure out that dental plaque isn’t good for oral hygiene, so getting enough of this mineral is very important. Luckily, potassium deficiency is rare if you have an optimal diet – if it happens, it can point to magnesium deficiency or even kidney disease.
When it comes to magnesium, one of its main roles is helping with calcium absorption, similarly to phosphorus. This way, magnesium indirectly affects enamel strength. It’s also worth noting that magnesium and potassium work together to neutralize the excess of acids in your mouth – for example, when you eat too many sweets. If the acids aren’t neutralized, the outcome is tooth decay.
Other Minerals That Are Worth Mentioning – Zinc, Fluoride, and Iron
Zinc is one of the minerals that are important for a strong immune system, as it reduces inflammation, but it also has a role in maintaining oral health. Zinc reduces your risk of gingivitis and slows down bacterial growth, consequently slowing down dental plaque formation. Its anti-inflammatory activity is especially important for wound healing – for example, when you hurt your gums.
Fluoride helps restore enamel indirectly – it doesn’t integrate into the enamel, but it interacts with calcium and phosphate in enamel to form fluorapatite, which protects your teeth from bacteria. It also boosts the remineralization process and slows down acid production from bacteria in the dental plaque.
Iron doesn’t directly affect teeth, but it affects the soft tissues in your mouth, including gums. When the iron is low, red blood cells can’t deliver enough oxygen to the gums, so they don’t heal properly from damage. Without enough iron, your gums become pale, inflamed, and can’t resist bacterial infections. Gums can also bleed if the iron levels are low enough.
A Balanced Diet Ensures an Optimal Intake of These Minerals
Many people think that taking supplements is necessary if you wish to maintain optimal levels of every important mineral, but in most cases, the only thing you need is a healthy, balanced diet. Naturally, some foods contain more of the above-mentioned minerals, and you should focus on them if oral health is your priority. Here are some common food groups that are rich in the minerals we’ve talked about:
- Calcium – dairy products, leafy greens, fish, seeds, nuts, fortified plant milks,
- Phosphorus – fish, meat, legumes, dairy products, whole grains,
- Potassium – fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds,
- Magnesium – leafy greens, legumes, dark chocolate, whole grains, nuts, seeds,
- Zinc – meat, seafood, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains,
- Fluoride – tea leaves, seafood, fluoridated tap water,
- Iron – red meat, fish, legumes, leafy greens, poultry.
Reach Out to Aspire Dental Wellness and Reserve a Dental Checkup
Paying attention to foods you consume and how they affect your teeth and gums is only one part of the puzzle – regular visits to your Charlotte, NC, dentist are essential. Trust our team at Aspire Dental Wellness, led by the amazing Dr Sladjana Bjelac, to take great care of your teeth. Thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience, we are able to provide our patients with the gold standard of care. Contact us today and reserve your first dental checkup at our office – your Charlotte dentist in SouthPark awaits.
