Of the many nutrients and minerals that promote strong oral health, calcium is one of the most important. As a mineral that supports healthy bones, it is directly connected to keeping teeth in good shape. While calcium is essential for dental patients of all ages, it’s especially important in supporting proper development and growth of children’s teeth. To encourage dental care patients to drink more milk, here are some of the biggest oral health benefits of calcium.

The amount of calcium that’s recommended for a child goes up with age. For example, an infant should receive 700mg a day to support growing baby teeth, while a teenager should have at least 1300mg each day to build strong adult teeth. By ensuring your child consumes the right amount, you can help him or her prevent these issues:

• Tooth Loss: As the primary building block of bones and teeth, calcium is responsible for building strong jaw bones. When people don’t consume enough of the mineral, they put themselves at risk of having weak jaws that can’t securely hold onto teeth. Over time, this deficiency can make teeth more likely to fall out.
• Tooth Decay: Most of the body’s calcium reserves are stored within teeth or bones, which allows them to remain structurally sound. However, if the body isn’t getting enough of the component, it can borrow from these reserves and weaken the integrity of teeth. Without calcium, dental enamel can become weak and be more susceptible to cavity-causing decay. However, if the calcium supplies are high enough, the tooth can repair the enamel decay.
• Gum Disease: Calcium isn’t just important for your teeth — it can also support healthy gum tissue. Individuals who don’t get enough daily calcium are at a higher risk of having gum disease.

If you have concerns about the strength of your child’s teeth, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a pediatric dentist, such as those at Pedodontic Associates. Whether you need a routine check-up and cleaning for your little one or are concerned about cavities, these Maui and Oahu children’s dentists are ready to help. To get started, call (808) 735-1733 for appointments in Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 if you live in Kahului, HI.