When we think about maintaining excellent dental health, our minds often go straight to routine brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. While these practices are undeniably crucial, another key aspect of oral wellness that’s often overlooked is calcium intake. This essential mineral is not only vital for strong bones, but also plays a critical role in keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Here’s a closer look at the link between calcium and dental health, along with some of the best natural sources of calcium to add to your diet!
How Does Calcium Benefit Dental Health?
Calcium is technically the most abundant mineral in the human body, and about 99% of your body’s calcium supply supports your bones and teeth. Your body needs calcium for your bones to remain hard, your muscles to move, and for your nerves to carry messages between your brain and other parts of your body.
But regarding your dental health, calcium specifically strengthens your tooth’s tough, outermost layer called the enamel. This layer protects your teeth from surface damage and cavity-causing bacteria, but if it becomes compromised, it can’t grow back on its own and your teeth are at risk of sustaining damage. That’s why fortifying your teeth with calcium each day is recommended; they can greatly benefit from the help!
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that adults between the ages of 19 and 50 consume around 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day. Children often don’t need as much, but seniors can usually benefit from adding a few extra hundred milligrams into their diet. This is to mitigate future bone loss and tooth decay as well as other serious problems including even osteoporosis; as you age, you’re much more susceptible to these types of problems.
What Are the Best Sources of Calcium?
It’s easy to meet your daily calcium requirements if you’re aware of which foods contain high amounts of it! Try adding these calcium-rich foods to your diet:
- Milk – Cow’s milk is one of the best and cheapest sources of calcium, with one cup providing around 20% of your suggested daily value.
- Cheese – Like most dairy products, cheese is a great source of calcium. Note that parmesan cheese technically provides the highest ratio, with an estimated 336mg of calcium per ounce. Romano, Gruyere, and goat cheese are other great options.
- Yogurt – As you might’ve guessed, yogurt is also a great source of calcium, with one cup containing about 30% of your daily requirement.
- Canned fish – If you want something non-dairy for your calcium intake, consider canned fish like sardines or salmon, both of which contain an impressive amount of the mineral.
- Leafy greens – Collard greens, kale, broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens are undeniably healthy; however, it’s their higher-than-average calcium levels that make them excellent for your teeth.
- Beans – Beans are generally thought of as solid sources of protein, but many types are also calcium-rich. White beans, navy beans, and edamame, the baby form of soybeans, are all viable options.
When it comes to oral health, there are no doubts that calcium is immensely beneficial. So don’t hesitate to stock up on some of these foods the next time you’re at the store and ensure that your teeth remain bright, resilient, and happy!
About the Practice
Our team here at Community Dentists of Worcester has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, restorative, cosmetic and other types of services. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, feel free to visit us online or call us today for assistance. Telephone: (774) 255-7345.
