From deepest ocean beds to the highest elevation, anything strong made by any living organism has calcium. Similarly, calcium makes up an integral part of our bones and our teeth. Bones lock calcium in their cellular matrix, and this arrangement of calcium adds to bone strength. Our body likes calcium so much that it even devised a way to store extra calcium. The body holds excess calcium in our bones and teeth, further fortifying them. Hence, the problem lies in calcium deficiency.
Calcium And Our Teeth:
The calcium aids in the strength of the tooth’s frontline defense, the enamel. A special calcium compound, known as crystalline calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite, structures most of the enamel and dentin. Therefore, adequate calcium reserves mean healthier enamel and better resistance against oral disease and oral cancer.
Hence, due to calcium loss, you will notice an increase in cavities. Furthermore, your tooth density will start to degrade, so your teeth will grow weak and fragile. As a result, chipped tooth or easy fractures become a common occurrence. However, the adverse effects are not only limited to delicate teeth and cavities. Calcium deficiency also tends to irritate gums as the gums start to recede, swell, and bleed easily. Weak roots are another effect of lack of calcium. Overall, calcium deficiency means bad news for your mouth with cavities, low teeth density, irritated gums, and weak roots will follow it.
Other Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency:
As cavities or swollen gums are not entirely unique symptoms, here are few other symptoms to look out for:
- Muscle ache, cramps, and spasms,
- Dental issues, as discussed above,
- Low bone density,
- Irregular heartbeat or rhythm,
- Tingling fingers, feet, or hands,
- Osteoporosis: In addition to low bone density, joint pain and porous bones are other osteoporosis signs.
Calcium-rich foods and calcium Supplements:
The recommended dietary calcium for an adult ranges from 1000 mg to 2000mg. Ingest the suggested amount, and you wouldn’t need to fret about the calcium loss from your body.
It would not come as a surprise that dairy products are rich in calcium. Hence, let’s discuss other delicious lesser-known alternatives.
- Tofu: Tofu is an excellent addition to your diet bringing about 832mg of calcium goodness with it.
- Fish (Sardines): Apart from white meat’s savory delicacy, 90g sardine tin packs about 500mg of calcium.
- Green Vegetables and Nuts: Yes! Your mom was right, green vegetables are great for your body. Green veggies and nuts, such as almonds, kale, and spinach, contain enough calcium ( 150mg -400mg per cup).
Conclusion:
The effects of calcium deficiency can take some time to unravel. Therefore, you might be running low on calcium, and you wouldn’t even notice yet. Hence, it’s always a great idea to top up your body with a calcium-rich diet.
Furthermore, regular dental checkups can also help you detect any calcium deficiency. Thus, visit Brenham Family Dental now for a wholesome checkup. In addition, you can always call us at 979-421-9685, we always welcome your inquiries and queries.