It’s common knowledge that eating a nutritious diet or taking a daily vitamin is important for staying healthy. However, did you know that there are vitamins that are specifically good for your teeth and oral health? In fact, there are a few that are especially important to have if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Studies show that teeth move faster and more efficiently in a healthy mouth, and the results are more likely to last for many years to come. If you have braces or clear aligners, make sure you’re getting plenty of these five vitamins and nutrients!
1.) Calcium
Calcium is an important nutrient that’s essential for healthy, strong bones, including your jawbone! As your teeth are being shifted into place during your orthodontic treatment, your jawbone gradually breaks down and reforms around your teeth in their new positions. Getting enough calcium in your daily diet will help keep your jaw healthy as your smile aligns. Calcium can be found in a variety of foods, including:
- Milk, cheese and yogurt
- Leafy greens like kale
- Salmon, almonds and beans
2.) Iron
Iron helps support your immune system, regulates your body temperature and gives you more energy. When it comes to your mouth, it helps prevent mouth sores and minimizes inflammation in your tongue. Both of these issues can make your orthodontic treatment uncomfortable, so make sure you eat plenty of:
- Spinach and broccoli
- Soybeans and lentils
- Bran cereals
3.) Vitamin A
Vitamin A provides a garden variety of health benefits, a few of which include increasing saliva production and maintaining healthy mucous membranes. This is a great way to lower your risk of cavities, since orthodontic treatment tends to trap food particles that fuel cavity-causing bacteria. This helpful nutrient can be found in many foods, including:
- Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables
- Sweet potatoes and melons
- Skim milk and eggs
4.) Vitamin C
Vitamin C is most well-known for how it supports the immune system, but it plays a key role in the health of your smile as well. This vitamin helps prevent inflammation and bleeding in the mouth and speeds up healing of the soft tissues in your mouth. This can be particularly helpful since braces and aligners can sometimes cause irritation or sores on the gums, tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Lots of foods contain vitamin C, including:
- Tomatoes and winter squash
- Red and green bell peppers
- Broccoli and Brussel sprouts
5.) Vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels can cause bone loss and burning mouth syndrome. What’s more, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and other important nutrients. Without it, these other vitamins might not be nearly as effective. Thankfully, you can get vitamin D just by going outside on a sunny day! You can also find it in:
- Cheese and yogurt
- Egg yolks
- Fish
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is always important, but it’s especially crucial during orthodontic treatment! Making sure you get enough of the above vitamins and minerals is a delicious way to keep your smile healthy as you straighten it.
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics Worcester, we make it simple to achieve the beautiful, healthy smile of your dreams. We’re proud to offer a wide variety of orthodontic services for smiles of all ages and circumstances, and we use the latest dental technology to ensure every treatment is as comfortable as possible. What’s more, our compassionate and experienced team will be with you every step of the way on your journey towards a better smile to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible. To learn more, we can be contacted online or at (508) 757-3173.