How do beans affect your oral health? Well, specific vitamins and minerals
are vital to healthy teeth and gums.
Those include calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, C, and D. Beans are chock-full of every single
one of these vitamins and minerals.
Let’s discuss how each of these vitamins contribute to a
beautiful smile.
Calcium
If you do not get enough calcium, you are at risk for gum
disease and cavities. That’s
because your teeth and bones are made mostly of calcium. Calcium combined with phosphorous makes
up calcium phosphate – another name for the dense, hard material that is your
teeth and bones. So you can see
that calcium directly affects the strength and appearance of your teeth and
bones. It is a myth that calcium
must come from dairy. There are
plenty of healthier ways to get plenty of calcium. Beans are an excellent
source.
Iron
Iron deficiencies aren’t uncommon. Oral signs of an iron
deficiency include the formation of sores inside your mouth and in some cases,
an inflamed tongue. Beans are rich
in iron.
Vitamin A
Beans are rich in Vitamin A, which has a lot to do with the
health of your skin, teeth, and gums.
The antioxidants in Vitamin A help destroy free radicals that cause
decay. Vitamin A = healthier skin,
teeth, and gums.
B Vitamins
Symptoms of not enough B vitamins (B3, B2, and B12 are found
in beans) include bad breath and canker sores.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body absorb iron
(see above) and promotes healthy teeth and gums. A Vitamin C deficiency can
cause bleeding gums and loose teeth, among other things.
Vitamin D
We’ve all heard that we get Vitamin D from being in the sun,
and that’s true, but beans also contain Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium (see above).
On top of all of these vitamins and minerals – which
directly affect the appearance and health of your teeth – beans are high in
protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, and low in fat and contain no
cholesterol. Making beans a
regular part of your diet will improve the health and appearance of your entire
body. And a healthy, attractive
body gives you one more reason to smile confidently!
As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.
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