How Does Collagen Impact Your Teeth?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and plays a vital role in keeping your tissues healthy. Your gums are no exception. Collagen helps to keep them strong and healthy (via Mindbodygreen). If you have ever had gum surgery, chances are that collagen was used as part of the treatment. That's because collagen is an excellent tissue regenerator (via Science Daily). It can help your gums heal from periodontal disease, gingivitis, and other inflammatory conditions. In addition to its tissue-healing properties, collagen also supports the growth of new teeth.
"Our periodontal tissues are composed of primarily collagen, with 60% collagen making up our gingival tissues, 70 to 80% making up our periodontal ligaments (or structures that connect our teeth into the surrounding jawbones), and 90% of the alveolar bone in the jaws," board-certified holistic dentist Staci Whitman, DMD told Mindbodygreen. Scientists are still learning about collagen and how supplements can potentially help with bone and gum health.
What to know about collagen
Collagen is a type of protein, and it's the most abundant structural protein in animals. It makes up the structure or framework of your cells and tissues (via Healthline). There are different types of collagen, including type I collagen, which accounts for 90% of all the collagen in your body. Collagen is found throughout the human body, but it's especially important in skin, bones, and joints.
This protein is composed of a long chain of amino acids that are held together by peptide bonds. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and there are 20 different types of amino acids that can be used to make collagen. In addition to providing strength and structure to our cells and tissues, it also helps to protect our organs, and it plays a role in wound healing. Collagen is even involved in the production of new blood vessels. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. This can lead to wrinkles, joint pain, and other age-related problems. Fortunately, there are ways to increase your collagen levels. Eating certain foods and taking certain supplements can help to increase collagen levels in your body, leading to better health and younger-looking skin. It's always a good idea to speak with your doctor before taking any new supplements.