Will Taking A Calcium Supplement Maintain Good Teeth?

The mineral calcium, which is present in fortified cereals, dairy foods, dark green vegetables and some fish varieties, helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones. Some people may need calcium supplements because of poor diet or an inability to get enough of the mineral from foods. If your dentist suggests you take a calcium supplement, your choices include multivitamins, calcium and vitamin D combination capsules, individual calcium supplements or calcium-added antacids.

Children

According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, calcium helps build and protect gums as well as baby teeth and the permanent teeth that develop during childhood. Promoting healthy baby teeth is important because this first set of teeth paves the way for proper positioning of the adult teeth, according to the website KidsHealth. Calcium also aids in proper jaw formation, which builds room for a child's permanent teeth.

Adults

Although your teeth have formed by adulthood, calcium continues to promote dental health, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. As you age, your body's ability to absorb calcium through food lessens, making calcium supplements a healthy option for some people. Older people who don't get enough calcium have a greater incidence of tooth loss, while calcium and vitamin D supplements may help prevent tooth loss.

Recommended Daily Amounts

UMMC notes that it's best to get as much calcium as possible from food sources, although people who habitually lack calcium in their diet or who can't absorb calcium efficiently may need to take calcium supplements. The suggested daily recommended amount, or RDA, of calcium from food and supplements is 700 mg for toddlers and 1,000 mg for children ages 4 to 8. Preteens and teens, including pregnant and nursing teens, need 1,300 mg. The RDA of calcium for all adults under 50, including pregnant and nursing women, is 1,000 mg. Men between 51 and 70 have an RDA of 1,000 mg. Adult women over 50, as well as men over 70, need 1,200 mg of calcium each day.

At-Risk Populations

People who generally don't get enough calcium through diet include women over 50, men over 70 and girls between the ages of 9 and 18. Other conditions or lifestyles choices putting you at risk for calcium deficiency include veganism, lactose intolerance and not getting enough calcium-supporting minerals such as vitamin D through diet and sun exposure. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium more efficiently. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, conditions like Crohn's disease, which prevents nutrient absorption, put people at risk of calcium deficiency, as does having too much soda, alcohol or caffeine.

Caution

Even if you're concerned about dental health, don't ramp up your calcium intake without asking your doctor or dentist first. Too much calcium can lead to iron and zinc deficiency and can cause constipation. Calcium supplements are also linked to kidney stones in adults when taken in excessive amounts. The upper intake limit for children and adults ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 mg. If your practitioner suspects you need calcium supplements, ask her for the best form and dosage.