Our whole lives, we’ve been hearing about the importance of vitamins and minerals in promoting growth and maintaining good health. Just like every other part of the human body, our teeth and gums require the right nutrients to develop strong and healthy. By knowing the proper nutrients to fit into our child’s diet, we can ensure they grow up with a beautiful smile that will last them a lifetime. We’re going to tell you about some of the most important vitamins and minerals you can include in your child’s diet and how they can help them grow well.

The Most Important Nutrients For our Child’s Oral Health

While getting enough of a particular vitamin and mineral is fantastic, a deficiency in any of the ones our body relies on can lead to complications down the line. This is especially true when we’re going through our developmental stages early in life. Below are the five most important nutrients your child needs and what they do for their oral health.

• Calcium – Beyond being essential for bones that are strong and healthy, calcium is a central part of developing strong teeth. By ensuring your child gets sufficient amounts of this essential nutrient, you’ll be guaranteeing they don’t have weak teeth or bones.  
• Vitamin A – While it’s great at supporting your vision and immune system, your gums also need the benefits of Vitamin A. It plays a role in the flow of saliva and ensures the gum’s health is protected from day-to-day damage.
• Fluoride – There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that fluoride is great at protecting the teeth and battling cavities. It does this by reinforcing the enamel and turning aside bacteria.  
• Vitamin D – Like calcium, Vitamin D is an essential part of developing healthy teeth and bones. It’s also intrinsic in the development of healthy gums and plays an active role in protecting you from gingivitis and periodontal disease.
• Iron – As your teeth develop, iron is needed to help support their growth as well as the development of healthy blood cells. There are plenty of healthy sources for this vital mineral, and it will continue to support their teeth throughout your children’s lives.

Research continues to explore the ways that vitamins and nutrients contribute to the health of various systems in our body, including those listed above. Vitamin D has recently been found to actively fight the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease, promote the healing of the gums, and even battle bacteria in the bloodstream. As we continue to expand our understanding, we gain more ability to protect ourselves and our children from health concerns.

Ask Your Pediatric Dentist For Further Guidance

Dentists, especially pediatric dentists, are used to giving advice about diet and nutrients to their patients. Parents are always seeking additional information to help their children grow up strong and healthy, so be sure to ask them for help. You can either give the office a call, wait for your next appointment, or even schedule a special appointment strictly for the purpose of talking about dental health and food.