Let’s talk about dental erosion. When the enamel on your teeth loses mineral content and softens, it reveals the dentine. Think of dentine as a shell that protects a tooth’s pulp, which is where the blood vessels and nerves are found. When the dentine is exposed, you may find that a tooth is more sensitive to hot and cold foods. It’s darker than enamel, and you may be embarrassed by the yellowing.

 To prevent dental erosion, you need to consider your diet. Avoidance of all acidic foods is ideal, but it’s not always practical. This leads to the question, what about supplements? What are the best supplements for your teeth?

 Dental erosion is just one of many common issues with oral health. Gum disease and dry mouth are other conditions where supplements lead to impressive improvements. Learn more about the best supplements to keep your teeth healthy.

 Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D

 Bone strength requires two essential minerals. Calcium is one of them, and vitamin D is the other. Low stores of calcium can lead to weakened bones. At the same time, you need vitamin D.

 Phosphorus and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Your body doesn’t produce vitamin D, and most of the vitamin D you get comes from exposure to the sun. Ideally, you need 15 to 30 minutes of unprotected sun to the arms and legs every other day. If you live in a cold climate or wear sunscreen to avoid skin cancer, you may not get enough vitamin D.

  You can get phosphorus from dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt. If you don’t or can’t eat dairy, you should consider a supplement.

 Fluoride

 You might be surprised to find fluoride on this list. It’s a primary ingredient in toothpaste, which helps strengthen tooth enamel. You may not realize that you can also get fluoride in black tea. When the tea grows, it soaks up fluoride from the ground. One cup of brewed black tea can have as much as 1.5 milligrams of fluoride. That’s not all. Here are some other foods that contain fluoride.

• Baked potato – 0.08 milligrams
• Coffee (one cup) – 0.22 milligrams
• Old-fashioned oats (one-half cup cooked) – 0.08 milligrams
• Raisins (one-quarter cup) – 0.08 milligrams
• Shrimp (three ounces of canned) – 0.17 milligrams

If you’re on public water, fluoride is likely added to the water you drink. The same is true of bottled water.

Iron

 Iron is a crucial component in your red blood cell that helps prevent infection. Some people, women especially, experience anemia. Signs of anemia include bruising, exhaustion, frequent headaches, and slow healing wounds. People with low iron are more susceptible to infections that can lead to gum disease and abscesses.

 Red meat is one of the best sources of iron, but not everyone eats red meat. Pumpkin seeds, leafy greens, and dried and canned beans are other good sources.

 Niacin and Riboflavin

 Niacin and riboflavin are B vitamins that help with inflammation and infection. They help protect the soft tissues of the mouth and gums from infection or issues like canker sores.

 Niacin (vitamin B3) is found in foods that some people avoid, such as anchovies and liver. It’s also found in proteins like beef, pork, salmon, tuna, and turkey. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is easily obtained if you drink milk or have fortified cereals for breakfast. It’s also in eggs, mushrooms, and yogurt.

 Potassium

 Lower the risk of dental erosion by taking potassium supplements. They help to protect the minerals in a tooth. When you take potassium supplements, it helps strengthen teeth and lowers the risk of tooth decay. Potassium is also helpful in helping the blood to clot.

 You can get potassium from foods like avocados and bananas if you’d rather avoid a supplement. Make a breakfast smoothie with half a banana, half an avocado, frozen blueberries, spinach powder, nut milk, and unsweetened, plain yogurt. That’s a filling, healthy smoothie that provides plenty of potassium. Brush your teeth after to avoid any damage from the acids.

 Vitamin A

 Vitamin A is found in carrots, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, eggs, and oily fish. Its role in oral health surrounds helping with the production of saliva. Saliva helps flush plaque, bacteria, and acids from the mouth. It also helps avoid dry mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

 Vitamin C

 One of the best-known antioxidants, vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables. The problem is it’s linked to citrus fruits like oranges and vegetables like tomatoes, which are acidic and damage the enamel. For that reason, some people prefer to take a vitamin C supplement for tooth health.

 Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight infections and keeps your connective tissues healthy. That lowers the risk of gum disease. Have you ever heard of scurvy? Scurvy was a disease that many immigrants developed on long trips across the ocean? Scurvy was linked to a deficiency in vitamin C, and symptoms included tooth loss and bleeding gums.

 Vitamin E

 Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects soft tissues and bones in the jaw. Studies have found vitamin E to help prevent periodontitis. It does this by helping prevent the attack of free radicals within the cells.

 Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and also works as an antioxidant. It’s found in nuts, seeds, and oils. Olive oil is a good source of vitamin E. You can also take a supplement if you don’t or can’t eat nuts or seeds.

 Zinc

 Zinc helps with wound healing and can prevent bacteria that can cause cavities. Your body cannot make zinc, so it’s something you need to get through supplements or diets. Good sources of zinc include poultry, red meats, and fortified juices and breakfast cereals.

 With any supplements, you need to be careful you’re not overdoing it. Iron supplements are great for some people, but getting too much iron is possible. The same is true of vitamin D. Partner your doctor in your oral care concerns. Blood tests can check to see if you are deficient or getting enough of these vitamins and minerals through your regular diet.

 Additional Tips for Preventing Dental Erosion and Promoting Gum Health

 You can prevent some damage by drinking through a straw and watching what you eat. Foods like citrus juice, tomatoes, and blueberries are all acidic. Stop drinking soda and fizzy beverages that contain citrus juice. If you have something acidic, rinse your mouth with water when you’re finished.

 Oral care is also critical for preventing dental erosion. After brushing your teeth, rinse with a mouthwash that contains fluoride, and don’t drink anything else for an hour. Give the fluoride time to work. In the morning, brush your teeth after breakfast, especially if you have berry smoothies or orange juice.

 Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential for determining the level of damage to your enamel and monitoring for gum disease. If it’s determined that you do have weak enamel, Dr. Jody Jones and his team are happy to talk about supplements for oral health and toothpaste brands that help strengthen enamel. If the damage is severe, ask about veneers or sealants.

 Gum disease is important to diagnose early. It’s linked to several health issues like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. With regular check-ups and proper brushing and flossing, you can prevent gum disease. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones today.