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Your mouth is the first part of your body to encounter food, but is it the last place you consider when choosing your meals for the day? Nutrition should support your entire body, so choose foods that promote healthy teeth and gums. Not sure what those foods are? Read on to find out.
Balancing calcium and magnesium
You’ve heard countless times about the importance of calcium for strong bones, but are you as familiar with magnesium? Calcium and magnesium work together in the body by providing opposite needs. For bones and teeth, calcium keeps them strong and hard while magnesium supports the soft structure inside that makes them flexible instead of brittle.
Because of this relationship, experts recommend that you pair calcium with magnesium. Your body requires a balanced ratio of both in order to function properly.
Sources of magnesium include:
-almonds
-pumpkin seeds
-bran
-spinach
-brown rice
Sources of calcium include:
-dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
-spinach
-kale
-salmon
Don’t forget about vitamin D
Calcium needs more to support it than magnesium- it also needs vitamin D to aid in its absorption. Studies have also connected increased vitamin D intake with lower levels of periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Sources of vitamin D include:
-leafy greens like spinach and kale
-sunlight
-fatty fish
-fortified milk and cheese
Getting enough vitamin C and coenzyme Q10?
Vitamin C is an essential component of the connective tissue that composes gums. It also functions as an antioxidant, destroying cells known as free radicals and thereby fending off inflammation and reducing your chances of developing gingivitis. Get your vitamin C from food sources instead of chewable tablets, as these supplements can cause erosion to tooth enamel.
Coenzyme Q10 works in a similar way due to its antioxidant properties. It combats the harmful free radicals that cause inflammation and ultimately may lead to gum disease as well as any of the conditions that have been linked to gum disease- diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, just to name a few.
Sources of vitamin C include:
-strawberries
-citrus fruit
-red peppers
-coconut water
Sources of coenzyme Q10 include:
-seafood
-nuts
-seeds
-red meat
A properly balanced diet will strengthen your oral health. Healthy teeth and gums, in turn, support the wellbeing of the rest of your body, potentially limiting your risk for disease and reducing the likelihood of stroke and heart attack over the course of your lifetime.
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Source by Karina Wisekopf
