Everyone wants to have beautiful, and most importantly, healthy teeth. To make it that way, parents make their kids drink milk, eat cottage cheese and semolina, and advertising forces viewers to take dietary supplements that have calcium in their composition for teeth and bones (a chemical sign of the Ca element). Of course, milk and cottage cheese are very useful. There is also some truth in the advertising of dietary supplements, but not all of them are equally valuable in replenishing the body with the necessary macro- and microelements. To find out which of the calcium preparations available on the pharmaceutical market are useful and which are useless, our article suggests.
Why do we need calcium
Let's repeat the truth: calcium for teeth and bones is necessary, like air for breathing. In the earth’s crust there are relatively many, as many as 3.38% of the total mass, but it is so chemically active that in its pure form it practically does not exist. It is mainly found in various compounds (gypsum, marble, lime). Some people like to chew on chalk, which consists of calcium carbonate and various chemical additives that have not the most beneficial effects on the body. Therefore, it is wiser to use medicines with calcium, and use chalk for household needs.
Why does the body need calcium, everyone knows - it strengthens bones and teeth, because in these tissues it is the main building material. But not everyone knows that calcium is needed for the proper contraction of the heart muscles, the production of hormones, the maintenance of the osmotic pressure of the blood and the regulation of its coagulability. Here is what this chemical element is needed.
Why is calcium deficiency formed in the teeth?
Additional calcium for teeth and bones in the form of vitamins and dietary supplements, despite the appeals of advertising, is not always needed and not all. In the human body, metabolic processes continuously occur. In bone tissue, they occur extremely slowly. Teeth and bones, containing 99% of all the calcium in the body, can be called a kind of "storerooms" of this element. There is little of it in the blood, but metabolism there is very fast, and the calcium that the person consumes with food is used. If it is enough, all processes proceed smoothly. If this macrocell begins to be missed, the brain gives the command to take it from the "pantries", that is, the teeth and bones, which is why they are gradually destroyed. And then there is a need for the purchase of special drugs. Causes of calcium deficiency can be as follows:
- poor nutrition;
- lack of vitamin D, without which Ca is not absorbed;
- some diseases (pancreatitis, thyroid and kidney problems, intestinal diseases, allergies, candidiasis and others);
- taking diuretics;
- taking laxatives (long);
- pregnancy;
- stress;
- alcohol abuse
- smoking.
Natural sources of calcium
Many doctors believe that if a properly eating person does not have the above health problems, he does not need additional calcium for teeth and for the body as a whole. This macronutrient is found in foods such as poppy seeds (it is a record holder, it contains 1460 mg per 100 grams), sesame seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, parsley, rosehips, milk, and whey. But in Ca curd only 80 mg per 100 grams, but it has a lot of protein. Some foods help flush out calcium. These are all fats and sweets. There are also products that impede its absorption. These are spinach, currants, sorrel, chicken, fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber. Therefore, so that the calcium received by the body is not lost and completely absorbed, it is impossible to combine, for example, milk and a sweet roll, and all preparations containing the Ca element should be drunk between meals.
Norms of calcium and other important elements
Throughout life, a person needs a lot of vitamins, macro- and microelements, and for each age, the norms differ. This must be taken into account when choosing calcium preparations for the teeth. It is important to remember that pure calcium is not absorbed. This requires vitamin D 3 . In addition to helping with the absorption of calcium in the intestines, D 3 helps to regulate its amount in the blood, promotes proper bone growth and the healing of their fractures. A person receives D 3 with various products, plus, it is produced by exposure to the sun. Other vitamins (A, C, E, B) and trace elements also help the absorption of calcium and the fulfillment of its functions in the body.
The need for CA and D 3 per day| Age (years) | 0-1 | 1-3 | 3-10 | 10-25 | 25-55 | After 55 | Pregnant women |
| Ca (mg) | 270 | 500 | 800 | 1000-1200 | 800-1000 | 1200 | 1200-1500 |
| D3 (mcg) | 10 | 10 | 2.5-3 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 |
The need for other vitamins:
- A - for infants 0.5 mg, for adolescents 1 mg, for adults 2 mg, for pregnant women 2.5 mg.
- E - from 8 to 10 mg, but those who do not eat meat, the norms are higher - from 16 to 20 mg.
- C - from 70 to 100 mg, for pregnant women up to 150 mg.
- B 1 - from 1.6 to 2.5 mg.
- B 2 - from 1.3 to 2.4 mg.
- B 3 - 5 mg, for pregnant women up to 10 mg.
- B 5 - from 6 to 8 mcg.
- B 6 - from 1.7 to 2.2 mg
- B 8 - from 1 to 1.5 g.
- B 12 - 3 mcg, for pregnant women 4 mcg.
A balanced composition of all the substances necessary for the body is found only in natural products. They also contain the best calcium for teeth. Its lack in the initial stages can be suspected by the following signs:
- irritability, insomnia;
- muscle cramps, nerve tic;
- weak immunity;
- high blood pressure;
- hair loss in large quantities.
But symptoms such as brittle bones and problems with teeth do not appear immediately. Therefore, all people, even those with good teeth, should eat healthy vitamin and calcium foods every day.
"Folk" drugs
According to the generally accepted opinion, the source of calcium can be:
- eggshell;
- a piece of chalk;
- lime.
Studies by scientists have shown that chicken eggshell contains very “good” calcium for teeth. There it is about 90%, and all of it is perfectly absorbed. The remaining 10% account for 27 trace elements important for humans, including iodine, sulfur, iron, magnesium, sodium, molybdenum, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. Doctors recommend taking eggshells as a dietary supplement for those diagnosed with calcium deficiency. The disadvantage of such a drug is the method of its preparation. The shell must not only be thoroughly washed, but also boiled, peeled off the film and crushed into powder.
Chalk and lime in their composition also contain a lot of Ca, but do not contain D 3 and other vitamins at all, so all the calcium present there can be called "bad." Once in the digestive tract, it is not absorbed, but settles in the intestine, destroys the microflora there and does not allow any other products to be absorbed. As a result, a person gets constipation, flatulence, dysbiosis.
Calcium in medicines
The pharmaceutical industry produces several categories of dietary supplements containing calcium for teeth, vitamins and minerals. Let's compare their composition by the percentage of the main substance Ca:
- calcium carbonate - 40%;
- calcium gluconate - 9%;
- calcium citrate - 21%;
- calcium lactate - 13%;
- calcium chloride - 10%;
- calcium glycerophosphate - 200 mg per tablet.
It is important to note that the human body not only “takes” the chemical element Ca, but also “gives away”. For example, upon receipt of 1000 mg, approximately 900 mg is excreted in feces and urine. Therefore, you need to add a new Ca daily.
Overview of Calcium Species
With the abundance of all kinds of therapeutic and prophylactic agents on the pharmaceutical market, the question arises for buyers, which calcium to buy for teeth.
One of the best doctors call calcium lactate. It is well absorbed, does not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. It can not be used by those who do not tolerate lactose, suffering from thrombosis, atherosclerosis, who have bone metastases. Another minus of the drug is calcium lactate can cause heartburn.
Calcium citrate is perfectly absorbed, practically does not cause side effects, but reduces the digestibility of certain antibiotics of the tetracycline group, quinols (among them ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin), bisphosphonates, estramustine, levothyroxine.
Calcium carbonate in the stomach reacts with the hydrochloric acid located there, resulting in the formation of CO 2 . At the same time, a person is tormented by bloating, belching, colic. The advantage of calcium carbonate is its comparative cheapness.
Calcium gluconate for teeth is the most common and cheapest. It is prescribed as a therapeutic and as a preventive drug. It is available in solutions for intravenous administration and in tablets of 500 or 250 mg. Since there is very little pure calcium in them, and an adult should consume 15 grams of calcium gluconate daily, this will amount to 30 tablets (500 mg each) and 60 tablets (250 mg each)!
Calcium chloride is available exclusively in the form of solutions for intravenous or oral administration. The injections with him are called “hot” because of the sensation of burning sensation. They are quite painful, contribute to lowering blood pressure, can provoke acidosis. Taking calcium chloride potassium causes gastrointestinal irritation.
Calcium glycerophosphate is well absorbed, but can cause vomiting, diarrhea, allergic rashes, but this drug leaves two useful elements in the body at once - calcium and phosphorus.
Brief characteristics of drugs for adults
Each pharmacy has a lot of medicines and prophylactic drugs, which include calcium for the teeth. Here are just a few of them:
- "Calcium D3 Nycomed" contains in each tablet 500 mg of Ca and 200 IU of vitamin D 3 .
- "Calcium D3 Nycomed Forte" contains 500 mg of calcium and 400 IU D 3 .
Both drugs are prescribed as an additional source of calcium for the prevention and treatment of diseases of bones and teeth, against brittle nails and hair loss. Available in chewable tablets of fruit and mint flavor.
The analogue is “Complivit calcium D3”.
- Natecal D3 is also available as chewable tablets. One contains Ca 600 mg, and vitamin D 3 - 400 IU. This drug is convenient for people who need more calcium daily (pregnant, elderly, athletes).
- Vitrum Calcium + D3 is available in tablets that must be swallowed and washed down with water. In each Ca 500 mg, D 3 200 IU. This drug regulates the metabolism of not only calcium, but also phosphorus, and makes up for the deficiency in Ca and in D 3 .
Calcium for teeth for children
Babies can be prescribed calcium-containing drugs before their teeth erupt. The reasons are stunted growth, underweight, rickets. For children, calcium preparations are produced in the form of tasty chewable tablets with various flavors, and for babies in the form of a powder from which to prepare a suspension.
Among the well-proven such drugs:
- Complies with D3 Calcium. In a set a measuring spoon, to prepare the solution, take the exact amount of powder.
- Multi-Tabs. This preparation contains calcium plus a whole complex of vitamins necessary for a growing child’s body. It is issued separately for different ages (up to a year, up to four years, up to eleven).
- "Tiens." This is a preparation in the form of a powder, from which you need to prepare a solution. The manufacturer recommends consuming it with food.
Reviews
Too many people take calcium for teeth as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent. Reviews of the visible effect are generally positive. Many note an improvement in the condition of tooth enamel, nails (cease to exfoliate), and hair. Parents report that their children, after taking calcium-containing drugs, improved their teeth, improved immunity, and improved posture.
As shortcomings, some respondents noted abdominal pain after taking calcium-containing drugs, skin rashes, increased gas formation.