Tooth decay, cavities, receding gums, and infectious disease such as gingivitis has become extremely common among the general population.  We have come to accept that poor dental health is “normal” and that it’s simply part of the aging process.

Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite popular belief, brushing teeth multiple times throughout the day will not lead to better teeth health.  In fact, excessive brushing can actually harm the teeth and can contribute to receding gums.

When this happens, the gums are left susceptible to developing gum disease such as gingivitis.  Luckily, there are natural foods that can be including in the diet in order to protect the mouth from developing degenerative tooth problems. Also, following a proper diet can help ensure that you’re receiving the best nutrition in order to keep the mouth and teeth healthy.

Vitamin D and K2 for Perfect Teeth

Following the correct diet is extremely important for protecting the teeth.  In fact, it was estimated in 2001 that over half the population was deficient in key minerals needed for optimal health (1).  Fast forward to today and we can only speculate that this number has dramatically increased.

These vitamins and minerals that are deficient in the diet of millions of Americans is what keeps the body healthy and free from disease.  In particular, the fat soluble vitamins found in animal foods, such as vitamin D and K2, are extremely important for maintaining bone health and teeth.  Since teeth are part of the skeletal structure, foods that are good for bones are also good for the teeth.  In fact, teeth problems almost always coincide with weak bones.

For this reason, it’s extremely important that you begin to include rich sources of vitamin K2 into your diet.  Foods such as grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, hard cheese, fermented foods, organ meats, and cod liver oil are all excellent sources of vitamin K2.

Research published in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal found that vitamin K2 in tandem with calcium results in better bone benefits than just calcium alone.  It was found that K2 helped stop calcification by redirecting the excess calcium into the bones (2).

For this reason, taking calcium pills in hopes to build stronger bones and teeth is not recommended, especially if the individual is deficient in K2.  Taking calcium pills in the absence of K2 can lead to calcification and increase the risk of heart disease.  Furthermore, nutrition should be obtained from whole foods and not synthetic supplements.

Interestingly, all foods that contain vitamin K2, almost always contain vitamin D as well.  This is because the two vitamins work synergistically together to help protect bones and teeth.  Research has shown that low vitamin D levels are often associated with tooth decay and cavities (3).

Unfortunately, both vitamin D and vitamin K2 will almost always be deficient in the individual if they are following a standard American diet (SAD).

Proper Diet to prevent Tooth Decay

As mentioned before, diet plays an extremely important role in controlling tooth decay and other degeneration of the teeth.  Incorporating foods high in vitamin D and vitamin K2 such as the ones listed above can do wonders for both teeth and overall health.  However, these foods will have little effect if a proper diet in not being followed.

Removing all sugars and processed grains is an absolute must for anyone experiencing tooth problems.  Sugar is extremely inflammatory to the digestive tract due to its ability to feed the bad bacteria in the gut. Grains, nuts, and seeds all contain phytic acid which contribute to gut inflammation and interfere with mineral absorption in the body (4).

For those experiencing rapid degeneration of the teeth, it’s imperative that inflammation in the gut is addressed. Numerous studies show that inflammation in the intestines is strongly linked to osteoporosis and low bone mineral density (5)(6).

Following a diet which includes organic grass fed meats, wild caught fish, pastured eggs, and organ meats is highly advisable for those with both bone issues and tooth decay.  These foods should make up the base of the diet while vegetables such as dark leafy greens and seasonal fruits should be eaten as additions to the diet.  Grains, nuts, and seeds should be probably prepared before consuming.  Soaking, boiling, roasting, and fermented reduces the gut irritating phytic acid significantly (7).

For more information on proper diet and the best foods for longevity and health, The Weston A. Price is an amazing resource to utilize.

How Manuka Honey helps protect the Teeth

Once diet is corrected and foods high in vitamin K2 and vitamin D have been introduced into the diet, superfoods such as Manuka honey can help contribute to good teeth health.  Manuka honey is one of the most powerful honeys in the entire world and has been used by ancient New Zealanders for centuries.

When compared to any other honey, Manuka easily out ranks them in both medicinal strength and nutritive value. It’s for this reason that raw Manuka honey is prized among health conscious individuals all over the world.

Research indicates that raw Manuka has a therapeutic effect on patients suffering from gingivitis.  It was shown that there was a 48% reduction in bleeding sites in patients who consumed raw Manuka honey daily (8).

Taking a few teaspoons each day is an excellent insurance policy for anyone looking to protect against infectious disease and tooth decay.  Due to its high antimicrobial properties, raw Manuka honey is also excellent for controlling fungal infections in the gut such as candida (9).

Conclusion

Poor teeth health is highly influenced by diet.  Those experiencing teeth woes need to consider introducing vitamin D and K2 rich foods into the diet.  Also, following an eating plan such as the one outlined above will yield the best results.  Removing all processed grain and sugar from the diet is highly advisable in order to reduce gut inflammation.

The Weston A. Price foundation is an amazing resource to utilize that can direct you in the right direction of how to properly eat in order to preserve health. Lastly, In addition to following a nutritious diet, Manuka honey can help the overall health of teeth tremendously.