17 Nov How Do Vitamins D and K2 Help Strengthen Your Teeth?
Everyone knows that you need calcium for strong teeth and bones. But not everyone knows that your body also needs Vitamins D and K2 to absorb and use that calcium. These two vitamins support good dental health in other ways, as well. For instance, they help to remineralize your tooth enamel and fight off infections like gum disease. Here’s why you need to make sure you’re getting enough of these important vitamins.
The Connection Between Nutrition and Oral Health
While brushing and flossing are essential, good oral health begins from the inside out. Your daily diet and nutrient intake directly affect your teeth and gums. That’s why a vitamin deficiency can directly impact your dental health—if you’re not getting enough vitamin D, your body won’t be able to absorb much calcium, and if you’re not getting enough K2, your body won’t be able to use the calcium it absorbs.
How Does Vitamin D Help Your Teeth?
Vitamin D triggers your body’s ability to absorb and transport calcium. Without enough vitamin D, your body can’t fully absorb the calcium you consume, even if you’re taking a calcium supplement.
Vitamin D also:
- Promotes the remineralization of your tooth enamel to prevent cavities
- Helps regulate immune responses and fight infections like gum disease
- Helps strengthen your bones, including the bones that support your teeth
Your body will naturally synthesize vitamin D as long as you get about 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure every day. This can be difficult in the northern hemisphere in winter, even in sunny Arizona, so you might want to start eating foods that are rich in vitamin D.
To get more Vitamin D in your diet, try fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) and vitamin D-fortified dairy or plant-based milk. You can also try Vitamin D3 supplements, if recommended by your healthcare provider.
How Vitamin K2 Can Help Your Teeth
While vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, K2 tells it where to go. It activates the proteins that deposit calcium into the teeth and bones. Without enough K2, calcium can end up in places it doesn’t belong, like the arteries or other soft tissues.
Good sources of vitamin K2 include:
- Dark, leafy greens like kale, collards, and spinach
- Chicken breast
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir
Protect Your Smile with Holistic Dental Care
At Prescott Dentistry, holistic care includes identifying the root causes of dental problems so we can prevent them. Frequent cavities could be due to a deficiency of vitamin D or K2, or both. Some simple changes to your diet could help improve your dental health.
Good nutrition will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. But even if you have a very healthy diet and lifestyle, you still need to go to your dental appointments. If you’re due for a cleaning or have any concerns about your oral health, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/17/2025). Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash