If you want your body to run like a well-oiled machine, then you will need to make sure that you are getting enough of the right kinds of fuel. You rely on a complex system of vitamins and minerals to regulate your health and create what your body needs to sustain a healthy set of teeth. In part one, we talked about the effects of calcium and some vitamins, here we discuss how minerals, oils and other vitamins can affect your body.

Potassium: Potassium is an important part of your body’s mineral foundation, and is used to support the structure of teeth. As well, if you are someone who is commonly dealing with bleeding gums, potassium plays an important part in blood clotting properly, a solution that some might very well need.

Omega 3s/Fish Oil: Fish oil is one of the most common sources of omega 3s but there are others. With that said, omega 3 fatty acids are vital to our body’s functions, and since they are considered nutritionally essential, the body cannot make them on it’s own. They are vital to maintaining proper blood pressure, vascular health and reducing plaque in your arteries. These are all things that benefit your entire body, but your mouth requires proper blood circulation as well. For example, in those without proper blood flow to their gums, teeth can become loose, shift, and will lead to gum decay. Fish oil is vital in preventing your gums from bleeding and gum health in general. 

Iron is another mineral that is vital to both your overall health, as well as your dental health. Iron is obviously an element needed for your blood, and helps white blood cell function. Iron helps you fight inflammation and fight off infections. Gingivitis and canker sores are two examples of bacterial infection that iron can help your body fight off. Iron can be gained through a wide-range of food including meat and eggs. Anemia, a lack of iron, is associated with gum disease and tooth decay. As blood flow is so important to dental health, and iron is important to blood health, iron is important for dental health. Without iron gum disease is a strong likelihood. 

Vitamin E, generally used for skin health, also has anti-inflammatory properties that will benefit your oral health and help keep your mouth healthy and disease free. Vitamin C is also important for fighting inflammation. Lack of it is associated with symptoms of gum disease and as such should be included in your diet, as it proves lack of vitamins hurt as much as proper vitamin amounts help.

Lysine and B12 vitamins have both been shown to reduce the occurrence rates of canker sores. For anyone who has dealt with them in the past, this is a great way to prevent a recurrence. As up to 1 in 4 people deal with this problem, taking it daily can be a great way to ensure you don’t continue getting them.

For specific supplements, generally it will be the vitamins and minerals that support general dental health, whereas the supplements can be effective at targeting specific diseases, when taken alongside a recommended course and granted safe by a dentist. One example is probiotic lozenges, which can promote general dental health especially in those with harsh microbial environments in their mouth that lead to periodontal disease. Probiotics actively counter the microbes that are a negative to your gum health.