What does everybody know about the link between calcium and teeth? Calcium is an important nutrient our bodies need. Besides fortifying our bones, calcium plays a crucial part in body functionalities such as moving muscles, blood clots, helping nerves to carry messages from the brain, etc. Our bones and teeth hold about 99% of the calcium in bones whereas the remaining 1% is stored in muscles, blood, and tissues. It means calcium is indispensable for our teeth. Lack of this nutrition or calcium deficiency is linked to various dental problems as well as deterioration of bones.
Why calcium is important for our dental health? As discussed earlier, calcium is responsible for making your bones healthy. It provides you a strong jaw bone to support your teeth. Similarly, our teeth are mostly made out of calcium. Moreover, our body takes advantage of the resorption and deposition of calcium for replacing and rebuilding bone tissues. This process is called remodeling and is essential for structural functions, repairing local damage in teeth and bones. On the other hand, calcium acts as a remineralization agent for the teeth' durable outer covering called enamel. Teeth enamel is comprised of various minerals –calcium, phosphate,
and hydroxide. Oral bacteria and acidic substances in foods we take make the enamel lose minerals. However, calcium in saliva tends to restore the mineral components and maintain the enamel sturdy. Thus calcium keeps your teeth and jawbone strong ensuring their longevity.
How much calcium you should take? The amount of calcium everyone should take depends on various factors like your health conditions, age, and sex. Several studies show that most people do not take the required amount of calcium for their bodies. The prescribed amount of calcium for people of different age range are as follows:
0 to 6 months – 200 mg 7 to 12 months – 260 mg 1 to 3 years – 700 mg 4 to 8 years – 1000 mg 9 to 18 years – 1300 mg Adults – 1200 mg
Mostly, parents feed calcium supplements to kids to a certain age. After that, the calcium intake is reduced gradually. Over time, it is accompanied by aging, hormone changes, the introduction of medications, and various factors that deplete the calcium level in our body.
How does calcium deficiency affect our teeth? When the calcium level in the body is compromised, our body begins to take calcium from the teeth. It means your teeth will be affected first once you develop calcium deficiency. It is followed by weakening your teeth and making them susceptible to the damaging effects of acids produced by oral bacteria. Here are the most common oral complications associated with calcium deficiency:
Thin enamel Tooth decay Cavities Jaw bone loss Tooth loss Gum diseases
How can we protect our dental health from calcium deficiency? Our body does not produce calcium but the calcium compounds absorbed calcium for teeth and bone can be replenished from the foods we take. Hence everyone should take calcium content foods, calcium supplements to avoid the consequences of calcium deficiency.
Dairy products Almonds Broccoli Leafy greens Finger millet Beans and lentils
Remember that excessive calcium intake is not a good thing. It is because too much calcium in blood also weakens your teeth and bones. Do you notice any oral complications along with issues like muscle spasms, numbness, brittle nails? Your body might be deficient in calcium. Visit your doctor immediately.
Dr. Suresh