According to the Journal of Periodontology, adults who consume at least three servings of calcium each day have significantly lower rates of periodontal disease, a leading cause of tooth loss.  Sadly, calcium is the mineral most likely to be deficient in the average diet.  About 99 percent of the calcium in the human body is held in the bones and teeth.  Calcium is the main element of support in bones and teeth. Calcium salts make up about 70 percent a bone's weight.  Without sufficient calcium your bones are not able to retain their strength and rigidity. Likewise, without sufficient calcium your teeth will not be able to withstand the force involved in day-to-day eating.

Lets not forget about the remaining 1 percent of calcium in our bodies.  This calcium circulates in the bloodstream, where it helps to contract muscles including the contractions of the heart. Calcium is needed for blood clotting and transmitting nerve impulses.  Calcium is also involved in the stimulation of contractions of the uterus during childbirth and in the lactation process.

Calcium, it absorbed in the small intestine and passes from there either into the bloodstream or ultimately into the bones.  Regulatory mechanisms such as the hormonal secretions of the parathyroid and thyroid glands help to maintain the proper levels of calcium in the blood.  If a calcium deficiency does develop, the parathyroid hormone transfers calcium from the bones bloodstream where it is more desperately needed.  The result is that the bones are robbed of their calcium and the bones are weakened.  This includes your teeth.  Weak teeth cannot withstand the enormous amounts of pressure involved in everyday eating and chewing.  Therefore, those with low levels of calcium have weaker teeth and more problems with cracks, breaks and susceptibility to bacterial infection.

Calcium and cavities
Cavities have been defined as a bacterial infection caused by specific agitation to the structure of the tooth.  When one does not eat a healthy and calcium rich diet, plaque interacts with food deposits on your teeth and produces an acid that will slowly dissolve the calcium in your teeth.  When enough calcium dissolves from the tooth surfaces, the surface is compromised and a hole is allowed to form. That is called a cavity. The enamel, or surface area of your teeth, is 97% calcium.  When this enamel is weakened, the mouth become susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

Calcium and kids
Calcium is extremely important for the development of a child's teeth.  We know that calcium is also important for the dental health of adults but it is especially important for children who are still developing.  Calcium absorption tapers off as one approaches adulthood.  As an adult it is important to maintain your level of calcium.  Research suggests that children can continue to absorb and build strength in their bones, not just maintain a certain peak level.  This is why it is so important to build your child's calcium levels while you still can.

Calcium and osteoporosis
The long term result of even mild insufficiency of calcium is thinning bones.  The more common term for this is osteoporosis. But calcium is known to help prevent osteoporosis.  Research is close to being able to establish a definite connection between osteoporosis and dental health. With severe osteoporosis, you often see periodontal disease and evidence suggests that a lack of calcium contributes to periodontal disease.