Americans are obsessed with their dietary supplements, using them for a wide variety of reasons. With sales increasing each year, total supplement sales are expected to reach $32 billion in 2019. To put it in perspective, this makes the supplement industry bigger than the radio, virtual reality, and toy industries, which are each valued at around $20 billion.
What Kind of Supplements Are We Taking?
With 30 billion dollars spent annually on supplements, it raises the question of which are the most popular. Americans take supplements for their health, beauty, fitness, and to enhance their mood.
Here are some statistics on the most popular supplements sold in America:
- 98% of supplement users take vitamins and minerals.
- 73% take a multivitamin.
- Vitamin D, C, and the 3 B’s are the most popular vitamin supplements.
- Fish Oil and other animal oils are extremely popular.
- CoQ10, a supplement for heart health, is among the most popular.
- A ConsumerLab.com survey showed that 43% take a Magnesium supplement.
- Over 40% of respondents take a probiotic supplement.
Which Supplements Benefit Your Oral Health?
It may seem like there’s a supplement for every health issue you could have, and your oral health is no exception. From calcium to biotin, there are supplements that provide excellent benefits for your teeth and other aspects of your oral health.
Discover four supplements that will benefit your oral health.
1. Probiotics
You may have heard probiotics advertised in commercials for yogurt and beverages like Kombucha, but did you know that they benefit your oral health? Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that are actually beneficial for your health. To understand how probiotics help aid your digestive and promote oral health, it’s necessary to know that your body needs good bacteria to function properly.
What Probiotics Do For Your Smile
The most notable benefit of probiotics is that they reduce inflammation, a trait that makes them famously useful for aiding digestion. But this also makes them valuable for preventing gum disease, an infection caused by harmful bacteria.
Why Worry About Gum Disease?
One of the most common dental problems, gum disease is caused by numerous factors, from oral neglect to pregnancy. The most important thing to know about gum disease is that it progresses through three stages of severity, so it’s important to treat it when you first notice the problem. Fortunately, dentists like Dr. Kellye Rice in Brentwood, TN provide periodontal therapy to treat every stage of gum disease.
2. Green Tea
Popular in weight loss supplements, numerous health benefits have long been attributed to green tea. Although you can drink green tea to gain these advantages, many types of supplements are available in capsule or powder form, allowing you to gain the benefits however you wish.
How Green Tea Benefits Your Oral Health
Green tea has polyphenols that reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities and gum disease. While that’s a remarkable benefit in its own right, it’s not all. Green tea is also rich in fluoride, making it one of the most effective substances for strengthening your teeth.
Why Care about Keeping Your Teeth White and Strong?
While it may seem that brushing alone is enough to keep your teeth strong, it’s worth noting that your teeth become weaker with age. Plus, brittle teeth are far more sensitive and can make you more susceptible to pain in the long run. If you want to prevent tooth decay or your smile is losing its luster, you may benefit from a sealant procedure from an experienced dentist like Dr. Roman Shlafer in Farmington, MI.
3. CoQ10
Found in every cell in your body, CoQ10 plays a major role in many of your bodily functions. Numerous CoQ10 supplements are available, but you can also get it naturally by consuming beef, chicken, fish, nuts, seeds, and oils.
What Does CoQ10 Do for Your Oral Health?
As an effective anti-inflammatory, C0Q10 plays a role in preventing gum disease. Additionally, CoQ10 repairs the soft tissues in your body, which includes your organs and gum tissue. While most commonly taken to keep your heart healthy, it’s worthwhile to take CoQ10 if you’ve had any oral health issues as well, especially problems related to your gums.
The Many Benefits of CoQ10
If you only take one supplement, many experts would make a strong case that it should be CoQ10. Here are some of its many advantages:
- Generates energy in your cells
- Helps boost fertility in women
- Keeps your skin healthy and youthful
- Enhances physical performance
- Excellent for preventing headaches
- Plays a role in preventing cancer
- It’s healthy for your brain
4. Calcium
Calcium is a mineral found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. As you age, your need for calcium increases greatly, mostly due to the fact that it keeps your bones strong and healthy. If you want more calcium in your diet, many types of supplements are available that can increase your intake of this valuable mineral.
What Does Calcium Do for Your Oral Health?
The most well-known advantage of calcium is that it’s excellent for your bones, and that applies to your jawbone as well. Since problems with the jawbone, known as TMJ disorders (TMD), can be painful and even lead to lockjaw, calcium is among the most effective minerals for maintaining your oral health. Furthermore, a lack of calcium can weaken your teeth and even lead to tooth loss, so however you consume it, getting enough calcium is vital to your oral health.
Why Worry About TMJ Issues?
Aside from causing pain in your jaw, neck, mouth, and the surrounding area, TMJ problems can disrupt your ability to eat and speak. While calcium in your diet can help prevent these problems, if you’re already experiencing TMJ issues, it’s imperative that you seek help right away. Dentists like Dr. McAllister in Kalispell, MT provide effective TMD treatments to restore proper jaw function.
Finding the Right Supplements for a Brighter Smile
If supplements are proven to help prevent gum disease or jaw problems, aren’t they worth the investment? While not every supplement may be worth the price, it’s important to review the research when discovering which ones are right for you. By doing your homework and experimenting with supplements that are known to work, you can contribute to the health of your smile on a daily basis.