Consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for your child's growth and development. While dietary consumption of these important nutrients is important in the development of healthy muscles, joints, and bones, some children do not consume enough nutrient-dense foods in order to get their recommended daily allowances. Deficiencies can result in poor dental health; however, an over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplement may help prevent oral health risks associated with a poor diet. Here are some benefits that multivitamins may have on your child's teeth and gums.

Reduces Risk For Calcium Deficiencies

If your child is unable to meet his or her dietary requirements for calcium, the teeth and jawbone may weaken. When children are deficient in calcium, they may also be deficient in vitamin D, an essential hormone that is crucial to bone and dental development. Calcium helps raise circulating vitamin D stores in the blood. 

Consuming a diet rich in dairy products and green leafy vegetables will help ensure that your child gets enough dietary calcium, and spending time in the sun will help the body produce vitamin D.

If your child is ill and unable to maintain a healthy diet, talk to a pediatrician about a multivitamin, which will help correct nutritional deficiencies. Once dietary deficiencies have been corrected, your child's dental health will improve. Also, be sure to tell your child's dentist about any deficiencies so that he or she can closely monitor the condition of the teeth and the bones that support them. 

Enhances Gum Health

If your child is prone to bleeding gums or gingivitis, then taking a multivitamin may help enhance gum health. Multivitamins contain vitamin C, an essential nutrient in healthy collagen and gum tissue.

Vitamin C has potent antibacterial properties and may reduce your child's risk for bacteria-related gum infections. Vitamin C also helps stop bleeding gums in kids who have gingivitis. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, but if your child is unable to consume these foods, a multivitamin will help protect the oral cavity. Other nutrients in multivitamins that promote healthy gum tissue include vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin A, a nutrient found in carrots and sweet potatoes. 

If your child does not consume a nutrient-dense diet, work with both a pediatrician and a kids' dentist to develop a plan of care that will enhance overall health and healthy teeth and gums.