Table 2.

Major Minerals, Their Dietary Sources, Daily Requirements, Deficiency Diseases, and Reported Importance in Periodontal Health

Nutrient	Dietary Sources(s)	Importance in Periodontal Health	Reported Improvement in PD and CAL (Mean mm, SD)	References
Calcium	Milk products, eggs, canned bony fish, leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds	Required for formation of teeth and bones. Supplementation improves outcomes of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Local application enhances osseointegration.	n.d.	[73,74]
Magnesium	Cocoa, soybeans, nuts, spinach, marine vegetables, tomatoes	Required for cell metabolism and bone formation. Supplementation may improve outcomes of non-surgical periodontal therapy.	n.d.	[75]
Iron	Red meat, tuna, dry beans, spinach	Possible anti-oxidant effect on periodontium.	n.d.	[76]
Zinc	Protein-rich foods, spinach, grains	Possible anti-oxidant effect on periodontium. Reduces severity of diabetes-induced periodontitis	n.d.	[77]
Fluoride	Grape fruits, cocoa, tea, dried fruits and nuts, fluoridated water	Supplementation and topical application prevents dental caries.	n.d.	[78]

Note: Adapted from Najeeb S, Zafar MS, Khurshid Z, Zohaib S, Almas K. The Role of Nutrition in Periodontal Health: An Update. Nutrients. 2016;30;8(9):530.81

Abbreviations: PD, Pocket depth; CAL, clinical attachment level; n.d., not determined.