Healthy Mouth, Healthier Body

Dental health is a critical aspect of your overall health. Whenever your body lacks essential vitamins, this adversely affects your teeth and leads to dental problems like gum irritation and bleeding. 

In addition, certain oral health problems like mouth lesions can be the symptom of health issues such as diabetes. Last but not least, dental issues that are left untreated for a long can lead to further health problems such as heart attack, stroke, etc. 

That’s why maintaining your oral health is vital for a healthy body.

How To Maintain Oral Health

Here are the steps our specialists at Christensen Dental in Henderson, Nevada, recommend you follow for optimal oral health: 

• Floss every day to remove food debris from between the teeth and below the gum line where your brush can’t reach. 
• Brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. If you have cavities or signs of decay, visit Christensen Dental for treatment.
• Rinsing your mouth every day with fluoride mouthwash reduces the risk of decay and infections.
• After every meal, chew sugarless gum with Xylitol for 20 minutes.
• Get regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Prevention or early detection and treatment can save you from expensive procedures and a lot of pain in the future. 

Nutrition

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause a lot of dental issues. Therefore, it’s vital to give proper attention to your nutrition to maintain oral health. 

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A helps heal your mouth and prevent dry mouth. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to impaired tooth formation which causes grooves, pits, or missing areas of enamel.

Vitamin A Diet:

Fish, egg yolks, liver, and leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens contain Vitamin A. It’s also found in orange-colored fruits and vegetables like apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin B:

Vitamin B prevents gum diseases and deficiency can lead to cracked lips or inflammation on mouth corners. Lack of Vitamin B2 and B3 can also cause inflammation of the tongue.

Vitamin B Diet:

Vitamin B is found in whole grains, meat, fish, eggs, poultry, dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, avocados, citrus fruits, bananas, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C can protect against the early stages of gum disease. It also helps strengthen your gums and soft tissues in the mouth. Vitamin C deficiency can cause gum diseases and gum bleeding.

Vitamin C Diet:

Potatoes, citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables contain vitamin C. 

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D helps strengthen bones and teeth and vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of gum diseases and tooth decay. 

Vitamin D Diet:

Liver, red meat, egg yolks, fatty fishes like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, canned tuna, and portobello mushrooms.

Vitamin K:

Vitamin K protects against bone corrosion. It’s also vital for the production of the protein that strengthens our bones. Lack of vitamin K can affect the healing process and make you more likely to bleed. 

Vitamin K Diet:

Leafy green vegetables, parsley, broccoli, and Brussels sprout.

Calcium:

Calcium helps harden tooth enamel and strengthen the jawbone.

Calcium Diet:

Dairy products, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and salmon contain calcium.

Potassium:

Potassium improves the mineral density of bones. Potassium along with magnesium prevents the blood from being too acidic, which can drain calcium from your teeth and bones.

Potassium Diet: 

Potassium can be found in bananas, lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, and prunes.

Phosphorous:

Phosphorus along with calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth.

Phosphorus Diet:

Seafood such as sardines, cod, shrimp, tuna, and salmon, as well as soybeans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, beef, pork, and cheese, contain phosphorus. 

Proper oral hygiene and habits can help maintain oral and overall health. A balanced diet and regular dental checkups and cleanings can go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy. 

For more information on how to maintain your dental health, schedule an appointment with Dr. Tyler Christensen at Christensen Dental in Henderson, Nevada. Call us at (702) 331-2121 or book an appointment online.