We are taught early on that brushing and flossing keep our mouths clean and healthy. That is true. However, other healthy habits can contribute to good oral health and a bright smile. Adding specific vitamins and minerals to your diet can also help promote healthy teeth and strong gums.
Studies show a strong link between vitamin C and a healthy smile. Understanding why you need vitamin C for teeth can help you make better dietary choices, not just for your body but also for your oral health.
Why Vitamin C Is Important for Teeth and Gums
Why is vitamin C essential for teeth and gum health? To understand this vitamin’s vital role in oral health, look at pirates and sailors of yesteryear. Scurvy is a disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Those at sea for extended periods without access to fresh fruits or vegetables were susceptible to the condition. Two predominant signs of untreated scurvy are bleeding gums and loose teeth. Why?
Today, research shows the crucial role that vitamin C plays in oral health. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, a protein that supports the structure and strength of gum tissue. The stronger your gums, the less likely they are to bleed or become infected. Strong gums are also a better anchor for your teeth.
Vitamin C is also a potent anti-inflammatory, which may protect the mouth from gum disease. It also aids in wound healing and the repair of damaged tissues. The benefits don’t stop there. It is also an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals in the body and mouth.
How Vitamin C Helps Prevent Gum Disease
While most people consider vitamin C a cold-busting immune system boost, they rarely consider its vital role in oral health. One of the benefits of adding vitamin C to your diet is that it can help prevent and manage gum or periodontal disease. How does this powerhouse vitamin help protect your gums? It can:
Strengthens Your Gums
Vitamin C promotes collagen production. This protein keeps gum tissue strong and healthy. Without it, gums and soft tissues in the palate can become weak, tender, and more prone to bleeding.
Reduces Inflammation
A natural antioxidant, vitamin C fights off harmful free radicals that cause oral inflammation in the mouth. This process helps soothe irritated gums and lowers the risk of gum disease caused by bacteria.
Aids Healing
Gums can be sensitive. Damage from eating, drinking, or harsh brushing can cause small tears and wounds. Vitamin C speeds healing and helps your body fight off gum infections. The vitamin also supports a healthy immune system and the production of white blood cells, which also help battle infections.
The best way to add vitamin C to your diet is through various healthy fruits and vegetables. Citrus, betties, bell pepper, broccoli, leafy greens, and other colorful fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. Bonus: crunching on these fruits and vegetables can also help promote better oral health.
Can Too Much Vitamin C Harm Teeth?
Like anything else, too much of a good thing stops being good. The same is true for your vitamin C intake. Too much vitamin C can harm teeth in certain forms, eroding enamel and making teeth sensitive and prone to cavities. Consuming vitamin C in overly sugary drinks, like orange juice, can also damage teeth. Bacteria in the mouth love to feed off sugar, producing acid as a byproduct that can eat through tooth enamel.
Use caution when consuming vitamin C from citrus fruits and chewable supplements. These can be highly acidic and harm dental health by weakening tooth enamel. Chewable supplements can also be hard on teeth because they can stick to teeth, creating a dangerous acidic environment on the tooth’s surface. Swallowing tablets or using a buffered powder dissolved in water may be better options for enamel protection.
More is not always better. Stick with vitamin C in the recommended daily amount or as your doctor directs. Doses that far exceed the recommended daily amount can irritate soft tissues in the body, like the gums.
You can protect your teeth and gums by rinsing your mouth with water after eating citrus fruits or taking chewable supplements. Use a straw when consuming citrus juices to limit contact with teeth and drink sugary beverages sparingly. Plus, remember that everything is better in moderation.
Babylon Dental Care Can Help You Support Good Oral Health
In addition to getting the right amount of vitamin C in your diet, your oral health depends on regular dental check-ups and cleanings. At Babylon Dental Care, we support your oral health and give you a reason to smile.
Contact us online or call (631) 983-6665 to make an appointment.