Five vitamins and minerals that help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

1. Vitamin A: Beef, eggs, liver, salmon, shrimp, fortified milk, cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese.

2. Vitamin C: Bell peppers, broccoli, potatoes, spinach and fruits and fruit juices (especially citrus). Studies have revealed that people who consume less of Vitamin C tend to be 25% more likely to suffer from gum disease.

3. Vitamin D: Fortified cereals, fortified milk, fatty fish (helps absorb Calcium).

4. Calcium: Cheese, fortified juices, milk, tofu, salmon, sardines with bones, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables (including broccoli and kale, but not spinach or Swiss chard, which have binders that lessen absorption). 99% of the calcium in your body is your bones and your teeth. Dietary calcium is needed to make sure they’re in good shape.

5. Phosphorus: Almonds, broccoli, eggs, dairy products, green peas, fish, liver, meat, milk, potatoes, and poultry.

If you don’t eat fresh fruits and vegetables, take vitamins to supplement your diet.
If you have, or will soon have dental or periodontal surgery, it is especially important to include Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin E.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

The trouble with teeth: October is National Dental Hygiene Month.

More than 30 million denture wearers in the United States didn’t see a dental professional in time to save their teeth: 75% of new patients don’t know they have gum disease until they are diagnosed.

If you haven’t been to a dental professional this year, now is the time to begin your oral health regime. Regular check-ups will identify gum disease and help you save your teeth and half of your bank account.

Early gum disease (gingivitis) is reversible with professional treatment and diligent oral home care.

1. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
2. Get your teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

If left untreated, early gum disease can lead to periodontal disease, which can result in jawbone loss, tooth loss, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pre-term low-birth weight babies, stroke, and more.

Don't ignore the warning signs of gum disease:

1. Red, swollen or tender gums.
2. Gums that bleed when you brush (pink in the sink).
3. Recurring bad breath.

Go to your dental professional this month and keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivors' Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/ for your Free Tips.