Final answer:
The body needs Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, and Magnesium, which it cannot synthesize on its own, to form healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, while phosphorus and magnesium contribute to bone structure and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substances that the body cannot make on its own but needs for forming healthy bones and teeth are primarily Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Calcium is critical for giving bones their hardness and serves as a mineral reserve for the rest of the tissues. However, calcium alone is not enough, as it requires Vitamin D for proper absorption from the small intestine. Phosphorus is also a constituent of bones and teeth, playing a critical role in forming the strong mineral matrix of bone. Magnesium, although only present in trace amounts in the body, is a structural element that supports bone health, with over 60 percent of the body's magnesium found in the skeleton.
Vitamin D is additionally responsible for regulating calcium absorption and use, and lack of it can lead to bone softening diseases such as rickets. For those not receiving enough sunlight, which helps the skin to produce vitamin D, dietary intake becomes crucial. Moreover, substances like fluoride may also contribute to bone health by stabilizing and strengthening bone mineral.