What to Know About Calcium and Your Teeth

While brushing and flossing are extremely important for a healthy smile, they’re not the only things that make your smile healthy. Calcium also contributes to dental health and is a mineral found in many foods. Despite this, however, many people don't get enough calcium in their diet. If you don't worry about your calcium intake, check out these commonly asked questions to learn more.
How Does Calcium Help Teeth? Calcium helps developing teeth by promoting proper growth and development. However, older patients need to make sure they have plenty of calcium in their diet to protect developed teeth. Calcium strengthens enamel by adding lost minerals to your teeth after exposure to bacteria acid. Your enamel is what protects your teeth from decay and sensitivity. Even though enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it can deteriorate due to acids from bacteria, and you can't regrow lost enamel. However, you can strengthen your existing enamel with plenty of calcium.
What Happens If You Are Calcium-Deficient? Hypocalcemia, or calcium deficiency, means your calcium levels are low. Low calcium levels cause your bones to weaken, including your teeth. If your levels are extremely low, your dentist or doctor may recommend medication or supplements for a time. If you are calcium-deficient, you’ll notice that your teeth are weak and brittle teeth. Other symptoms come first, so you don't have to wait for a tooth to break to find out you need more calcium. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, brittle nails, difficulty swallowing and numbness around the mouth. You can fight back by boosting your calcium levels.
Can You Have Too Much Calcium? Depending on your age (and gender as you get older), you may need anywhere between 200 and 1300 milligrams of calcium. For example, a baby less than six months only needs 200 milligrams, but an adult between the ages of 19 to 50 needs 1000 milligrams of calcium a day. Information on the effects of too much calcium are limited, but calcium can cause constipation. In more severe cases, it may affect how your body absorbs certain minerals, but for the most part, calcium doesn't seem to be harmful.
What Are the Best Sources of Calcium? Lots of food have calcium. The most common way to get calcium is with dairy products like milk and cheese. However, vegetables like broccoli and kale also have high levels of calcium. Grains don't contain high levels of calcium, but because people eat so much of them, they may provide a lot of your calcium. If you don't get calcium naturally with your diet, you may need some calcium supplements. Calcium carbonate is a cheap and great way to add calcium, but only if you take it with food. Calcium citrate is a more expensive choice, but you don't have to take it with food.
Is Calcium All You Need for Strong Teeth? Calcium is important for your teeth, but it's not the only vitamin/mineral you need for strong healthy teeth. Vitamin D and phosphorus are also important. Vitamin D comes naturally from the sun, but if you live in an area with little sunlight, you may need supplements. You can also get vitamin D from oily fishes and dairy products. Phosphorus is in lots of foods, including cereals, fish, eggs, grapes, and cucumbers. If your teeth are weak but you are getting plenty of calcium, talk to your dentist to find out if you may be low on one of these important minerals/vitamins. Taking care of your teeth isn't just about brushing and flossing. You need to make sure your diet contains lots of calcium and other minerals to help build strong enamel. If you would like to know more about calcium or you need treatment for weak teeth, contact us today at Jeffrey L. Erwin DDS.