When it comes to your dental health, you may focus primarily on your teeth. But your gum health is equally important! Unfortunately, however, gum disease is quite common and affects an estimated 65 million Americans. Many people are shocked to learn about the consequences of this condition and its impact on your oral health, general health, and overall quality of life. But the good news is that there are some easy ways to improve your gums, including seeing a dentist regularly and adding a few key foods to your diet. Learn more below about why your gum health matters and which dietary changes can help.
Your gums serve as the foundation for your smile. And gum disease progressively destroys not only the gum tissue but also the underlying jawbone. These supportive structures surround your teeth and keep them in place. When gum disease is left untreated, the teeth can eventually become loose and fall out, even if they’ve never had a cavity. This explains why gum disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss.
But that’s not all. When it comes to your general health, everything is connected. You could even call your mouth a “gateway” to the rest of your body, so when your gums are inflamed, it affects you from head to toe. In fact, countless studies have been done in recent years showing that gum disease increases your risk of:
As you can see, gum health is incredibly important!
Simply adding some of these foods to your diet can lower inflammation (a major factor in gum disease) and keep your whole body healthier at the same time:
Finally, don’t forget about the importance of good oral hygiene habits at home and regular checkups with a dentist. These visits are designed to find this condition in its early stages, when gum disease treatment is most effective.
With these simple guidelines, you’ll have a healthier smile and lower your risk of disease at the same time.
About the Author
Dr. Benjamin Naylor is a family dentist and graduate of the Roseman University College of Dental Medicine. He’s passionate about helping people improve their quality of life through better oral health and always keeps his patients up to date on the many ways to improve their gums. If you’d like more information about gum health or have any questions, you can reach Dr. Naylor via his website.
MON - THU 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
FRI - SUN Closed
0 comments