BY: JACK AND LANDRY

Mineral Research Project

Our Question

What minerals have physical and or chemical effects on your teeth and what do they do to them?

What minerals Have effects you’re your oral health?

Some minerals such as Calcium and Iron have good effects on your oral heath, But others such as Chlorine have a bad effects on your oral health. Your body needs many minerals to keep your mouth healthy and help prevent erosion of your teeth.

Calcium Iron Niacin (Vitamin B3) Riboflavin (Vitamin B12 and B2) Fluoride Chlorine Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) calciferol and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)

Calcium

Your teeth and jaws are made mostly of calcium. Without enough calcium in your diet, you risk developing gum disease and tooth decay. Calcium is found in many foods and liquids, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, and oysters.

Iron

Iron deficiency can cause your tongue to become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth. Iron is found in many foods, including liver and red meat. Other iron-rich foods include bran cereals, some nuts, and spices.

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

A lack of vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth. To boost your B3 levels, eat chicken and fish.

Vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin)

You also can develop mouth sores when you do not consume enough of the vitamins B12 and B2. Red meat, chicken, liver, pork, fish, as well as dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, are good sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin B2 is found in foods like pasta, bagels, spinach, and almonds.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C. Too little vitamin C will lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth. Sweet potatoes, raw red peppers, and oranges are great sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin D (calciferol and cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D. It is very important to consume enough vitamin D because it helps your body absorb calcium. A diet lacking or low in vitamin D will cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth. Drink milk, and eat egg yolks and fish to increase your vitamin D intake.

Fluoride

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. In children under 6 years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.

Chlorine

Chlorine. Tooth sensitivity caused by chlorine is very common. Whether you’re swimming at your community pool, the gym or even at your home, improper maintenance can trigger damaging effects on teeth.

Swimmers who are in the water for six hours or more per week run the risk of yellow or brown stains forming on their teeth. Antimicrobials found in pool water have a much higher pH than our saliva, which causes the proteins to break down and causes discolored deposits to form.

Asking A Professional

Jack asked his dentist about some of these minerals and here is what he said.

Sources

Feature, Karen SpringenWebMD. "5 Things You Didn't Know About Your Teeth." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

"Chlorine: Why Teeth Are Shaking in Their Roots - Spear Education." Spear Education. N.p., 01 Aug. 2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

"Dental Health and Fluoride Treatment." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

"Quick Reference." Know Your Teeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.