Calcium helps your teeth by strengthening tooth enamel.
Enamel is the hard outer surface of the teeth, which is the primary line of defense that protects your teeth from erosion and decay.
Proper levels of calcium also promote the development of teeth and bones. This is important for children, as their body is producing these vital components.
However, calcium is also important for the adult mouth, as teeth are anchored in bone tissue, and keeping that tissue healthy is essential to avoid tooth loss.
Where Can You Get Calcium?
Most foods like dairy products, seafood, vegetables, and fruits contain calcium including:
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Fortified tofu
- Seafood like sardines and salmon
- Vegetables like broccoli, kale, green beans, and collards
- Fruits like oranges
- Almonds
You might be surprised at the number of foods that contain calcium that are already part of your daily diet.
Once you make it a point to receive the daily recommended amount of calcium, you can expect to enjoy a number of health benefits that research has linked to calcium consumption.
Is Calcium Really That Important?
Your mouth contains naturally occurring bacteria that use the foods and drinks we consume to produce harmful substances that slowly erode away at the durable outer layer of our teeth known as enamel.
Over time, enamel becomes weakened and cracks begin to form that allow bacteria to reach the delicate interior of a tooth. Once inside, bacteria can lead to the development of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Calcium can help improve your oral health by better fortifying teeth against oral bacteria. Calcium acts as a remineralization agent for tooth enamel, meaning it helps to repair the damage caused by bacteria.
So just like bones in the rest of your body, the more calcium you consume, the stronger and more resilient your teeth become.
What Happens When You Don’t Receive The Right Amount of Calcium
Not receiving the right amount of calcium can lead to deterioration and weakening of the bones and teeth which use most of the body’s calcium.
Low calcium can prevent children from reaching their full potential adult height.
It lowers bone mass in adults that can lead to osteoporosis. It also increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw-joint problems.
Research found that those who take less calcium than what the body necessitates are 54 percent more likely to develop gum diseases. Additionally, teeth can weaken and become more susceptible to tooth decay.
Getting the right amount of calcium is especially important for infants and toddlers who are still developing their first set of teeth, called primary teeth.
Even though they eventually fall out, primary teeth are vital for the development of the permanent or adult teeth as they serve as a guide.
If children lose their primary teeth earlier than normal, they can suffer from spacing problems, as well as chewing and speaking issues.
If your teeth are developing cavities due to lack of calcium, visit Pro Health Dental for fillings. Getting enough calcium is a vital component of preventive dentistry, especially for kids.oint to receive the daily recommended amount of calcium, you can expect to enjoy a number of health benefits that research has linked to calcium consumption.
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