The Essential Role of Vitamin K2 and Calcium in a Healthy Smile (Even If Teeth Aren’t Bones)

Khristina Maureen
Jun 21, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 23

Two large teeth on a gray background; one cross-sectioned showing red and blue nerves, the other intact. Glossy white enamel, realistic detail.

Wait… Teeth Aren’t Bones? So Why All the Calcium and K2 Talk?

Fair question.

They look bone-ish and live in bone.

You’ve seen that light enamel on X-rays and thought, 'Yep, solid bone chunk.'

But here’s the plot twist: teeth aren’t bones.

They’re their own thing, and a bit extra.

Let’s dig into the tooth layers and explore why vitamin K2 and teeth are a package deal you don’t want to skip.

Teeth ≠ Bones. What Teeth Are Actually Made Of (And Why K2 Still Matters)

Just because teeth aren’t technically bones, it doesn’t mean they’re off the calcium team.

Let’s break this down by layers:

Enamel: The Diva in the Front

Hardest substance in your body (yep, harder than bone)
96% mineral, mostly hydroxyapatite (a form of calcium phosphate)
NOT living tissue, no nerves, no blood flow
Can’t repair itself, so be gentle (this diva doesn’t do do-overs)

Dentin: The Sensible Sidekick

Just behind the enamel
70% inorganic material (mostly hydroxyapatite), 20% organic material (mainly collagen), and 10% water, and are alive with tiny tubules. (Source)
Transmits sensation to the pulp (which is why ice cream feels like a zing)

Pulp: The Drama Queen Core

Full of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue
Very alive and nutrient-hungry
Relies on your bloodstream for support, including K2-fueled calcium traffic

What Vitamin K2 Does for Teeth (And Jawbone)

This matters not just for the teeth themselves, but also for periodontal tissues that rely on proper mineral signaling to remain resilient and well-supported.

Vitamin K2 and teeth go hand-in-hand because K2 acts like calcium’s GPS system.

It activates proteins (like osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein) that:

✔ Send calcium to the jawbone and dentin

✔ Keep calcium out of arteries and soft tissue (no thanks, plaque buildup!) (source)

So while enamel can’t regenerate, you’re still supporting:

The dentin under that enamel
The alveolar bone (that’s the jaw holding your teeth in place)

Calcium Without Vitamin K2? Kinda Useless.

You can drink all the milk you want, but without K2, that calcium might miss the party entirely.

Worse, it might end up in your arteries instead. Yikes.

That’s why vitamin K2 and teeth need to be in the same convo. Every time.

Sources of Vitamin K2: Where to Get It Like a Boss

Most people don’t get enough K2 from diet alone.

Here’s where to get more:

Natto (fermented soybeans – love it or gag at it)
Egg yolks (pasture-raised = better K2)
Grass-fed butter and cheeses (like Gouda + Brie)
Liver and organ meats (if you're brave like that)
Supplement form - especially K2 as MK-7, paired with D3 for bonus points
(P.S. I share my trusted K2+D3 brands inside my Supplement Dispensary, but make sure they match your needs first.)