When it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth, we often focus on the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups. However, nutrition plays an equally crucial role in promoting oral wellness. Among the essential nutrients for oral health, vitamin B complex stands out as a group of water-soluble vitamins that work together to support various bodily functions, including those related to dental health.
The Importance of Vitamin B
Vitamin B is not a single vitamin but rather a complex of eight distinct vitamins, each with its unique role in the body. These vitamins include:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Together, these vitamins contribute to a wide range of bodily functions, including energy production, cell metabolism, and nerve function. While each vitamin has its specific role, they collectively play a vital role in maintaining oral health.
Vitamin B and Oral Health
Vitamin B deficiency can lead to various oral health problems, including:
Angular Cheilitis: This condition causes painful cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth.
Glossitis: Inflammation of the tongue, characterized by a smooth, red, and sore tongue.
Burning Mouth Syndrome: A chronic condition causing a burning sensation in the mouth or tongue.
Oral Ulcers: Recurrent canker sores can be exacerbated by vitamin B deficiency.
Periodontal Disease: Research suggests that vitamin B deficiency may increase the risk of periodontal disease.
In addition to preventing these oral health problems, vitamin B also plays a role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. For instance, vitamin B6 is essential for collagen production, a protein that forms the connective tissue that supports the gums and teeth. Vitamin B9 (folate) is also crucial for cell growth and repair, contributing to healthy gums and oral tissues.
Sources of Vitamin B
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products can provide adequate amounts of vitamin B. However, certain individuals may require vitamin B supplements, particularly those with malabsorption issues or those who follow restrictive diets.
Maintaining Oral Health with Vitamin B
While vitamin B is essential for oral health, it’s crucial to remember that a healthy diet and proper oral hygiene practices are the cornerstones of maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. Here are some additional tips for keeping your smile bright and healthy:
Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time using a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth.
Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamin B-rich foods.
Consider vitamin B supplements if you have a known deficiency or are at risk of deficiency.
By incorporating vitamin B into your diet and maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you can safeguard your oral health and maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
Welcome to another chapter of our supplement exploration journeyâVitamin A! Beyond its renowned role in vision and immunity, let’s delve into the dental wonders this vitamin brings to the table.
đ The Basics of Vitamin A: đ
Vitamin A exists in two primary forms: retinoids (found in animal sources) and carotenoids (abundant in colorful fruits and vegetables). These compounds are superheroes for your overall health, but what about your pearly whites?
Dental Benefits of Vitamin A:
Gum Health Guardian: Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your gums. It supports the integrity of mucous membranes, preventing issues like gingivitis.
Tooth Enamel Ally: Vitamin A contributes to the formation and maintenance of tooth enamel. Strong enamel is your first line of defense against cavities and sensitivity.
Immune Booster: A healthy immune system means your body, including your mouth, can ward off infections. Vitamin A strengthens your immune response, keeping oral infections at bay.
đ Getting Your Dose: đ
Natural Sources: Include foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, and liver in your diet.
Supplements: If needed, opt for Vitamin A supplements, especially if your diet lacks sufficient sources.
đ Connecting the Dots: đ
Maintaining optimal oral health is a holistic journey, and Vitamin A is your companion in this quest. From supporting gum health to fortifying tooth enamel, its benefits extend beyond skin-deep.
Stay tuned for our next supplement spotlight as we uncover more gems for your health and your smile! Because here at ToothWiz, we believe in the magic of a healthy smile. đđż #VitaminA #DentalHealth #OralWellness #SupplementSpotlight #ToothWizTips
Maybe you’re thinking: “Wow, Doc! We’re being a little dramatic here, aren’t we?” Well, read on.
No doubt, this title will elicit a few snickers and maybe even the occasional one-liner like “No, but I know someone whose breath could kill!” Nevertheless, the possibly shocking truth is that yes, bleeding gums can kill you.
As a practicing dentist, I see all levels of home care. There are patients who practice excellent hygiene and have firm, pink and healthy gums or teeth without cavities. Then there are those who probably wouldn’t recognize a toothbrush if it poked them in the eye and whose mouths have so much plaque it looks like they just finished eating cottage cheese.
The bottom line is – where along this spectrum do you fall – and what can it mean for your overall health?
As I write this, I recall a question posed to me by one of my patients just yesterday. He told me that one of his “lady friends” had recently passed away. According to his story, he had seen her a few weeks ago and then noticed she wasn’t around very much. When he asked about her, he learned she had died as a result of complications following a dental abscess. His question “is that possible?” reflected an incredulity that is typical when it comes to the effects of oral health on the body.
Again, my answer was “yes, it’s possible.” Severe sepsis, which is basically a systemic inflammatory response to infection, can lead to organ failure and death. His friend was forty-two years old.
Obviously, this is an extreme example of infection travelling from one site and affecting the entire organism, but there are more subtle examples that are no less significant. Take bleeding gums. There are probably few people who haven’t experienced this phenomenon at some point or another in their lifetimes. If you are a hypochondriac, you probably should stop reading right now. If, on the other hand, you are just interested in knowing what significant step you can take to reduce your risk for heart attack or stroke, read on.
If I were to speculate, I think that many physicians and dentists probably still don’t think of tooth-related infections as systemic risk factors. The science behind this concept, however, is clear. In fact, a number of studies have been completed which clearly show the following:
Tooth-related infection can cause death
Infection equates to heart attack and stroke
Periodontal diseases are a portal for systemic inflammation and disease
If you have a periodontal infection you are going to have elevated C-reactive proteins, and C-reactive proteins are four times more predictive of cardiovascular complications than cholesterol
References for these studies will be made available on my website. But that represents a relatively small sampling of the articles which conclude red gums represent a disease process unto itself. This observation is the critical point.
If red gums represent inflammation and infection, then bleeding gums are definitely not something you should ignore. Even if you are not worried about your health, you may be surprised to know that many clinicians believe that aging is caused by systemic inflammation. There are a few studies supporting this theory as well, but the point is simple: don’t ignore your oral health. You might even look younger if you take care of your teeth! One of the simplest ways to reduce inflammation is to control the bacteria in your mouth. Start by brushing after meals and flossing every day. Eat a proper diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Get enough rest. Exercise, and reduce stress.
Also, don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly. Because so many dental conditions are symptom-free in their early stages, patients can be hit hard by neglect. The perception of “no pain, no problems” is often misleading when it comes to dental problems. Couple this with the fact that in tough economic times, people tend to put off what they perceive as optional or unpleasant, and you can have a formula for disaster – financial, or otherwise….
I have been out of dental school for (cough) a few years now, so I wasnât particularly curious about the subject of applying to dental schools for myself. But a friend raised the question recently, and it made me wonder â beyond the United States â what are the best dental schools in the world today?
If, like me, you would have expected the top five dental schools to include several in the U.S., then â just like me â you would have been wrong.
So how many U.S. dental schools made the top five? One.
And was it number one? Nope. It was number three. Thatâs not too shabby, but I was also a little surprised to learn that it the University of Michigan. Not because I have anything against that particular dental school at all, even if itâs not my alma mater.
I just didnât realize they performed that much research, and that was one of the key factors for which they were recognized.
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which bills itself as the worldâs largest highest education network, rated the University of Michigan as the top dental school in the United States, for the fourth year in a row. With an emphasis on research, the school received more funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in 2017 than any other dental institution in the country. Funded projects totaling $16.3 million addressed cavity prevention in children, head and neck cancer, and regenerating lost tissue due to disease, injury or congenital disorders.
So, who topped the list? The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Dentistry took the top spot for the third year in a row. They were followed by Kingâs College London Dental Institute at number two. The University of Michigan slipped from their second place standing last year. Next the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam and Tokyo Medical and Dental University rounded out the top five.
European schools dominated the top ten, but U.S. schools followed in force for the top twenty.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and the New York University School of Dentistry, took up the eleventh through fifteenth slots. The University of Pennsylvania, Penn Dental Medicine, came in eighteenth.
What I find interesting about these analyses, however, is that the criteria for what makes a top school are not necessarily what would be important to me as a prospective student â unless I planned on a career in dental research.
Now, Iâm not saying that graduating from the University of Michigan Dental School or Harvard are only good if you are interested in research. Iâm sure they graduate many excellent clinicians. But in my estimation, when you graduate, you want to feel prepared to deliver dentistry to your patients confidently.
Isnât that what happens when one graduates from dental school? Apparently not in every case.
Years ago, I was faced with the same decision so many young dental students have to consider today. What school should I apply to? Geography, tuition, and reputation were all factors I took into account. At one point, I thought I had my choices narrowed down to two schools â both in the same city. One was an Ivy League school and the other one with a solid reputation.
As luck would have it, I was invited to a barbecue and met a dentist who had the good fortune to teach at both institutions at different times. So, I asked him, if you had the choice, where would you go? He reflected upon the question for a moment and answered this way: âIf you want to learn how to talk about dentistry go to (the Ivy League) school. If you want to learn how to do dentistry, go to the other one.â
Basically, what he was saying was that while the first school was excellent, the other school prepared you for the real world of dentistry better.
How much better? I can answer that.
I knew I wasnât inclined toward a career in research. I wanted to become a dentist and work with people on a day-to-day basis. I took his advice and chose the school that I felt would prepare me to do just that. I have to say, I was happy with my decision. When the time came for me to hang up my shingle, I definitely felt prepared. I wanted to start seeing my own patients. And I loved the next twenty-seven years of clinical practice. I honestly continued to love coming to work after all that time.
But letâs backtrack for a moment. While still a dental student I also had the good luck to have been elected a Trustee for the American Student Dental Association. As such, one of my responsibilities was to act as a liaison between students in the dental schools of my region and the part of the American Dental Association (ADA) dedicated to its future members. The ADA wanted to know what concerned new graduates and it was interested in seeing what could be done to help them.
My district included three Ivy League schools, as well as the two oldest dental schools in the country. I had a chance to travel a great deal while still a student and I spoke to many people about what they perceived as their greatest challenges upon graduation. The overwhelming majority of times, the conversation drifted in the direction of the student wanting to do a General Practice Residency (if they werenât planning on a specialty) or, they told me they planned to work as an associate for a few years before starting their own practice.
By contrast, most of my classmates were ready to hang their shingles and get started upon graduation.
This spoke volumes to me and, in retrospect, I was grateful to that doctor from the barbecue.
If you are a prospective dental student, ask yourself, what do you envision doing when you get out. Do you love academia? There is definitely a place and a need for research. Dentistry is a dynamic field and both dental science and technology evolve at breakneck speeds. There are many aspects of dental research that one could pursue.
But if, like me, you know that you are going to become what we refer to as a âwet-fingeredâ dentist, research what your clinical experience will be like. What will you get to do? Just the basics, or will you have chance to learn about the growing needs of your patient base? Patients will want to see you deliver tooth whitening as well as replace missing teeth or stabilize loose dentures with implants. They will want to correct uneven or discolored teeth with veneers. And more. Much more.
Dentistry can be a lot of fun and very fulfilling. It can also be challenging. But if you do choose the profession, research your schools well, and do your best to do your best. Good luck!
Many people believe that since they arenât experiencing dental symptoms â like tooth pain or bleeding gums â then all must be well.
Unfortunately, a sizable number of dental problems, including cavities and periodontal disease (bone loss around your teeth), just donât produce obvious symptoms in their early stages. At least not symptoms that tend to be obvious to patients.
In fact, by the time people the average person experiences pain, his dental issue is typically pretty far along. And all too often, by then, the problem can also be quite expensive to handle.
It might amaze you to discover the types of problems your average dentist encounters every week, many of which you would expect to be painful, but they just arenât. They can still result in tooth loss though.
Pretty much anyone who has ever worked in a dental office for any length of time will tell you this is so. And they will tell you that you can inform some people that they have a problem, but unless it is ârealâ to them, they just wonât do anything about it.
They may come back a few years later (or maybe sooner) â usually with an emergency â desperately wanting to save the tooth that you told them about earlier. Of course, by now, it may be too late. And very often they will have forgotten it was ever discussed at all, because it was never a realistic problem for them to begin with.
Human nature can be funny that way.
So, keeping that in mind, itâs generally a good idea to get checked out by a dentist. Regularly.
The best news you can hear is that everything looks great.
But sometimes getting a confirmation that you donât have cavities or gum disease is not the only reason to get a dental exam. Over the years, I have detected cancer (not just oral cancer) â as well as a host of other non-dental problems â that might have been overlooked had the patient not scheduled an exam. Obviously, we refer patients to an appropriate specialist for treatment when we discover medical problems outside the scope of dental practice.
Other benefits of getting a dental exam: I can recall many patients who told me that what they thought were unrelated health problems simply resolved when their oral problems were gotten under control. These have included digestive problems, low energy problems, elevated blood cell counts, hypertension, and more.
Over the years, some people have told me they donât want to get a dental exam because they donât want to discover they have any problems.  I guess that works.
Just maybe not too well.
Your overall health is connected to your oral health. Take a look at this infographic. Then think it over. . . .
Dr. Richard Walicki is a dentist practicing general and cosmetic dentistry. While we hope you find the information contained herein interesting and useful, this blog is for informational purposes and is not intended to diagnose any oral disease. Dental conditions should be evaluated by your dental health professional or a qualified specialist.
Search by Topic
Get Access To The AWESOME Health Course
In this 12 week program, youâre going to discover how to achieve AWESOME health and double your energy with natural, tested, and scientific strategies. Just click on the image below:
