Teeth & Gums

Prepare to take better control of your dental health, not just leaving it to your annual visit to your dentist. In our quest for better health, a vital but often overlooked aspect is the well-being of our teeth and gums.

Allow me to share some eye-opening facts from my podcast with Dr James Goolnick, an esteemed dentist twice honoured as Dentist of the Year by the Dental Association and author of Brush, a number-one bestseller.

• Hospitalisation: Astonishingly, dental decay is the top cause of hospitalisation for children aged 5 to 9 in the UK
• Troubling Fruit Juices: Contrary to their seemingly healthy image, fruit juices can wreak havoc on teeth. Just like commercially produced fizzy drinks, they should be approached with caution, as their high sugar content contributes to dental problems
• There’s a Problem with Modern Bread: Did you know that enzymes in our mouths transform most commercially produced bread into sugar before we even swallow it? This sugary transformation plays a substantial role in tooth decay
• Sugar-Free Dental Health: Imagine a world where we consume no sugar and no foods that turn into sugar via saliva enzymes in our mouths. In this scenario, dental decay would be virtually non-existent
• Mouthwash Marketing Misconceptions: While mouthwashes promise a clean mouth, they are counterproductive to our overall health. Mouthwashes eliminate beneficial bacteria, disrupting the delicate balance between our mouths and microbiome.

In addition to these facts, I want to travel on a little tangent to further expand on the dangers of today's ultra-processed foods. Have you ever wondered about the widespread issue of overcrowded teeth and the frequent necessity of wisdom teeth removal, certainly for recent generations? To explain the cause, I need to establish a framework.

On discovery of the Mary Rose shipwreck, archaeologists were able to identify the skeletons of archers based on the superior thickness of their arm bone (up to 46% bigger). Still, only the arm used for drawing the bow. A similar observation can be made in professional tennis players, where the serving arm's bone can be up to 30% larger than their non-serving arm. Quite simply the more load you place upon a bone, the larger it tends to grow.

Our modern diet, dominated by overly processed and soft foods, no longer requires the extensive jawbone workout of our ancestors. This diminished chewing activity has contributed to a rapid reduction in jawbone size, resulting in teeth overcrowding and misalignment. The solution lies in reintroducing chewing habits, especially during a child's early years, and incorporating chewier foods into their meals. This approach can significantly reduce the need for wisdom teeth extraction and the development of overlapping teeth, restoring a harmonious dental alignment.

Please don’t take my advice out of context because I am not suggesting you chew sweets, toffee, or sticky gooey commercialised food-like substitutes. I am talking about chewing things such as meat, nuts and protein.

Let us investigate what foods and supplements best support healthy teeth and gums.

Two Vital Minerals - Calcium and Phosphorus:

Calcium stands as a cornerstone for robust teeth and gum health. It abundantly resides in dairy products such as milk and cheese and green leafy vegetables like curly kale and okra. However, it's important to note that spinach, while containing high levels of calcium, is not entirely digestible by the body. The presence of calcium-rich foods alone isn't sufficient; you also require adequate vitamin D for optimal utilisation. The synergy between calcium and vitamin D is remarkable, as even a small amount of calcium, when paired with sufficient vitamin D, yields substantial benefits.

Phosphorus can be sourced from various foods, particularly those rich in proteins like meats, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and dairy products. Notably, phosphorus found in animal-based foods is more readily absorbed by the body than its plant-based counterpart. It holds a prominent position in teeth and bones, the second most prevalent mineral in the human body, trailing only calcium.

Vitamin D's Dental Fortitude:
Vitamin D emerges as a pivotal player in the maintenance of dental well-being. A comprehensive review from 2020, aptly titled "Vitamin D Deficiency and Oral Health: A Comprehensive Review," underscores the profound influence of vitamin D on oral health. Inadequate vitamin D levels can lead to various oral health disorders, including gingival inflammation, cavities, and gum disease. The significance of vitamin D lies in its integral role in bone and tooth mineralisation. Crucially, vitamin D facilitates the efficient absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, indispensable for nurturing and sustaining strong bones and teeth.

The Gum Guardian - Vitamin C:
Vitamin C not only benefits your teeth but also serves as a stellar supporter of gum health. It actively preserves the robustness of the connective tissues in your gums, which are responsible for anchoring your teeth securely in their rightful places. Inadequate vitamin C levels can result in bleeding gums and gum disease. Furthermore, vitamin C supplements have been found to mitigate erosive tooth wear in early childhood. Vitamin C's role in collagen production, an essential component of gum health, further underscores its importance.

B Vitamins:
Several studies have highlighted the significance of specific B vitamins, including folate, in maintaining periodontal health. In a study from 2007, low folate levels showed a significant association with periodontal disease. Another extensive study conducted in 2018, encompassing over 6000 individuals, demonstrated a substantial link between insufficient intake of B vitamins like folate and thiamine and the severity of periodontal disease.

Vitamin A:
Renowned for its benefits to the eyes and skin, Vitamin A also plays a vital role in oral health, particularly in promoting saliva production. Saliva serves the dual purpose of breaking down food and purging bacteria from the crevices between your teeth.

I highly recommend you take our tailored MYVIT Supplements, which feature calcium, the whole collection of B vitamins, D, C and A.

Omega-3's Oral Oasis:
Omega-3 fatty acids wield impressive anti-inflammatory and antibacterial powers, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These properties position them as potent tools against periodontal disease, an infection afflicting the tissues responsible for anchoring your teeth.

Collagen
Collagen, a fundamental protein in the body, also plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It serves as a structural component in the connective tissues of the oral cavity, helping to anchor teeth securely in their sockets. Additionally, collagen aids in the formation and repair of gum tissue, ensuring its resilience and ability to resist infection. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, making it essential to consider collagen supplementation for the longevity and vitality of our teeth and gums.

Toothpaste
Now, let's explore a topic that might at first seem unnecessary. You might have noticed that toothpaste appears to have an ever-expanding list of ingredients, often touted as miraculous, with a barrage of questionable clinical trials and enthusiastic customer testimonials. Unfortunately, behind these claims lies the unsettling truth of chemical-laden formulations. Curiously, the era of chemical-infused toothpaste began in the early 1900s when savvy marketers sought to enhance their products by incorporating certain chemicals that induced a tingling sensation in the mouth, and consumers started associating this tingling with a sense of cleanliness. This newfound connection sparked a race among brands and manufacturers to create the most tingling toothpaste, with little actual regard for dental hygiene.

As a result, we now find ourselves surrounded by toothpaste loaded with a cocktail of chemicals. It's high time we cut through this toothpaste clutter and reacquaint ourselves with the real purpose of this oral essential – to clean your teeth.

To conclude, incorporating the above-mentioned supplements and natural toothpaste into your daily routine can play a pivotal role in maintaining a radiant smile and robust oral health. Remember, your oral well-being is intricately connected to your overall health, and by taking charge of your dental hygiene, you're also nurturing your body's vitality. As you embark on this journey towards better health, better life, and a better future, your smile will radiate the confidence of someone who's in control of their health destiny. So, take the helm, captain your ship, and sail towards a brighter, healthier tomorrow.

Links to the research mentioned in this article:

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