Vitamins That Best Support Teeth During Braces Treatment

Have you ever wondered which vitamins best support your teeth during orthodontic treatment? Vitamins are not only essential for your body, but for your teeth as well! Dr. Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, will be discussing some of the best vitamins that support your teeth during your braces journey.

1. Calcium

It is known that calcium is essential to strengthen the bones in your body. Incorporating a healthy amount of calcium in your diet helps your teeth remain strong. It also prevents gum disease and tooth decay. Here are some common foods that are rich in Calcium:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Almonds
• Beans
• Leafy Greens

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important because it helps maintain healthy mouth tissues and encourages saliva flow. This is important because the consistent production of saliva helps wash away bacteria. Like calcium, it also supports bone health. Here are some foods that are rich in Vitamin A:

• Skim Milk
• Eggs
• Broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes
• Bran Cereal

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps prevents and bleeding and inflammation in the mouth. It also supports the healing process. This is important because sometimes the brackets from the braces cut the inside of the mouth. These are some of the most common foods that contain Vitamin C:

• Oranges
• Sweet Potatoes
• Red and Green Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts

Iron

Iron is important because it prevents mouth sores and inflammation on the tongue. It also supports a healthy immune system, gives you energy, and regulates body temperature. Here are some foods with a high iron count:

• Dark Chocolate
• Broccoli
• Soy Beans
• Lentils
• Tofu
• Baked Potatoes
• Cashews

Vitamin D

A misconception about Vitamin D is that it is used interchangeably with calcium, but the fact is that Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. A severe deficiency of Vitamin D could result in bone loss or increase your chances of bone damage. The most effective way to get Vitamin D is to go outside for 30 minutes, but don’t forget the sunscreen! Some foods that are high in Vitamin D are:

• Egg yolks
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Fish
• Milk

These are some of the crucial vitamins to incorporate into your diet if you haven’t already to support your teeth during your treatment! If you have any questions regarding orthodontic treatment, please reach out to us at (949) 870- 9713. We are open with new safety measures to follow the CDC guidelines, and look forward to seeing you!