Calcium & Tooth Health

Calcium is an important mineral for your body. Aside from keeping your bones strong, calcium can help promote oral health. Calcium functions both as an electrolyte and a mineral. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, 90 percent of calcium in the body is stored in your teeth and bones. Calcium is essential for muscle contraction, and it helps nerves in your system to communicate with each other. If you do not consume enough calcium in your diet, your teeth may suffer from deficiencies. Fortunately, many foods contain adequate amounts of calcium, making it easy for you to meet your recommended daily requirements.

Calcium Amounts

Getting the right amount of calcium in your diet is important for your teeth. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the daily requirement for infants is roughly 200 to 260 milligrams. Children 1 to 3 years of age require 700 milligrams. Children 4 to 8 years require 1,000 milligrams. Pre-teens age 9 to 13 need around 1,000 milligrams, and teenagers 14 to 18 need the most, at 1,300 milligrams daily. Adults ages 19 to 50 require 1,000 milligrams of calcium. Men ages 51 years of age need 1,000 milligrams while women of the same age require 1,200 milligrams. Seniors over the age of 71 should get roughly 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day.

Calcium and Teeth

If your calcium levels get too low, your body begins to extract it from your teeth and bones. Your body is unable to make calcium, so it's important to get it from dietary sources. There are several reasons your teeth need adequate amounts of calcium. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, calcium keeps your teeth and jaw strong and can prevent gum disease. Adequate calcium can prevent tooth decay, which can be caused by long-term deficiencies. Young children require adequate amounts of calcium so that their teeth develop properly.

Foods Sources of Calcium

Most calcium-rich foods contain other nutrients -- like vitamin C, E and K -- that promote oral health. Food sources of calcium are diverse, such as sardines, tofu, mozzarella, salmon and ice cream. Most dairy products like milk and yogurt contain high amounts of calcium. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, 8 ounces of whole milk contains roughly 272 milligrams of calcium. Eight ounces of low-fat yogurt provides 415 milligrams of calcium. Green vegetables like kale and broccoli are other healthy sources of calcium. One cup of raw kale contains 90 milligrams of calcium, while a 1/2 cup of broccoli provides 21 milligrams.

Foods That Interfere With Calcium

Eating foods that block calcium absorption can lead to poor oral health. Some foods can interfere with your body's ability to absorb calcium. Foods such as meats, legumes and wheat germ contain phytates. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, phytates cause calcium to bind to your intestines, thereby preventing its absorption. Foods high in oxalates -- such as rhubarb, beet greens, spinach and legumes -- also prevent calcium from being absorbed by your body. Try to eat calcium-rich meals separate from these foods in order to promote sufficient calcium absorption.