Have you dealt with recurrent cavities, gum recession & other mouth issues?
Maybe you’ve tried changing toothpaste, using remineralized paste, gut support - but nothing is changing?
There are MANY vitamins & minerals that contribute to the structure & support of our teeth & oral health. Not only do we need these nutrients in our body, we need to make sure they are getting INSIDE YOUR CELLS.
So how do we make sure we have sufficient nutrients inside our cells? All it takes is a simple micronutrient blood test.
Regular blood work is extracellular blood work- which looks at what is currently inside the serum but outside of the cell. This is a static measurement - essentially a screenshot in time- of what is being transported in your body.
Intracellular blood work, on the other hand, measures nutrient status, in the context of cellular function, over a period of 4-6 months. Many times there is plenty in the serum but a problem with cell membranes that is inhibiting nutrients to cross over into the cells to do their job. Nutrients getting into the cells is the whole point of function, so it makes sense we would want to look & see what is being inhibited.
What Vitamins & Minerals are Important For Teeth?
CALCIUM: Probably the most well-recognized mineral when it comes to teeth. The popular “drink milk” campaign was everywhere in the ’90s! It’s well known that a calcium deficiency can weaken enamel & can lead to calcium deposits on teeth.
VITAMIN C: This nutrient helps hold your teeth in place & prevents them from loosening! It’s also important for growth, repair & reversal of gingivitis. Eat more berries, broccoli, citrus fruit, kale, peppers & sweet potatoes to enhance Vitamin C.
VITAMIN D: Adequate levels of this vitamin help calcium’s absorption rate & is critical for tooth mineralization & optimal bone mineral density. If you struggle with gum inflammation, cavities or gum disease, this is vital to get checked out! Make sure you’re getting adequate sun exposure & foods like fish, cheese, dairy & mushrooms to optimize Vitamin D.
VITAMIN K: This can help increase bone strength & increase healing. Bleeding gums & tooth decay can happen if the body is deficient in K. It helps to defend again bacteria & remineralize teeth from the inside out. Foods like eggs, chicken pork, hard cheeses, & leafy greens are great sources for this vitamin.
MAGNESIUM: It is used in conjunction with calcium to form enamel & keep it strong, therefore a decrease in magnesium can weaken tooth enamel.
ZINC: Zinc is known to protect against gingivitis & works towards demineralization - reducing the risk of cavities.
B12: This important B vitamin helps make red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissues of your mouth. It helps absorb calcium & can prevent mouth ulcers.
PHOSPHORUS: Another important one that works with calcium to keep bones strong & strengthen enamel. It is also a precursor to the body making its’ own hydroxyapatite.
Cell membranes & bioavailability
You may have enough of these micronutrients in your blood but sometimes they have a hard time being transported FROM the blood to INSIDE the cell to do their jobs. This means that the nutrient is present but is not able to be used - or is un-bioavailable.
A telltale sign of this problem is a deficiency in OLEIC ACID & other essential fatty acids. They are essential to making sure the cell membranes are functioning correctly.
Getting daily high quality olive oil is a great way to increase Oleic Acid levels. Other important things for optimal cell membranes are fish oils, phospholipids, & linoleic acid. You can see my favorite Cell Membrane Supplements inside Fullscript. Create an account for 20% off your supplements for life.
In the video below, I talk about my experience with my palate expansion device as well as how the above micronutrient levels play an important part in maintaining bone & enamel health.