Even though calcium is one of its most plentiful minerals, your body can’t make it. That means you need to get calcium from your diet. Here’s why getting enough calcium is so vital to your health, along with a guide for how much to consume and where to get this essential mineral.

Why is calcium so important to your oral health?

Calcium is key to maintaining strong, healthy teeth and bones. It strengthens tooth enamel — the hard outer shell — and helps maintain the bone that supports your teeth. Healthy enamel protects your teeth from cavities and erosion. Calcium in your saliva can even help repair damage to teeth caused by acids. However, a lack of calcium can increase your risk for gum disease.

Almost all the calcium in your body is located in your teeth and bones.

Why is it also vital to your overall health?

Calcium plays a major role in bone health by helping you maintain bone mass. When your body needs more calcium, it takes it from your bones. This means a low intake of calcium can lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, and a higher risk of bone fractures.

You also need calcium for your heart, muscles and nerves to work normally. Calcium also helps your blood clot correctly. And it helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure, lowering your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and other health issues.

Osteoporosis can damage oral health by weakening jaw bones and causing teeth to become loose or fall out.

What’s your recommended daily intake of calcium?

The amount of calcium you need is based primarily on your age. Growing children and teenagers require more calcium than adults. And as we age, changing hormone levels result in the need for more calcium to reduce bone loss.

Here’s the recommended amount of calcium (in milligrams) you should try to consume daily according to the FDA:

Children:

• 1-3 years old: 700 mg
• 4-8 years old: 1,000 mg
• 9-18 years old: 1,300 mg

Adults:

• 19-50 years old: 1,000 mg
• 51-70 years old: 1,000 mg (men), 1,200 mg (women)
• 70+ years old: 1,200 mg

How can I get enough calcium?

You can only get calcium from foods, beverages and supplements. The best sources include:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Sardines, salmon, and canned shrimp
• Soybeans
• Tofu
• Foods fortified with calcium
• Fortified soy, almond and rice milk
• Dark green leafy vegetables like collard and turnip greens, kale, and spinach

You may want to spread out your calcium intake over the course of a day because your body can’t absorb large amounts of calcium at once.

Vitamin D plays a key role in helping your body absorb calcium. Sunshine, fortified foods, fatty fish, beef liver, egg yolks and supplements are major sources of vitamin D.

Some people have difficulty getting enough calcium from their diets, including those who are lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, follow a vegan diet, or have Crohn’s or Celiac disease.

If you are concerned you might not be getting enough calcium, talk to your physician or dentist before starting any supplements. Make sure to follow their advice as you can also get too much calcium from supplements, which can result in weak bones, kidney stones and more.