Want Better Gum Health? A Dentist Says To Eat These Foods

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.

The Importance of Gum Health

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:

Alzheimer’s disease
Stroke
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Certain cancers
Pregnancy complications like pre-term birth and low birth weight

As you can see, gum health is incredibly important!

Eat These Foods For Better Gum Health

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:

Leafy Greens – Whether it’s spinach, romaine, kale or bok choy, leafy greens have plenty of vitamins and minerals that your gums need to stay healthy.
Citrus – Citrus is packed with vitamin C, which has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
Dairy – Dairy foods contain a protein called casein that neutralizes acids in the mouth before they can cause cavities or gum problems. Low or no-sugar yogurt and kefir are also fantastic choices because they contain beneficial bacteria.
Green Tea – Green tea lowers inflammation in your mouth and throughout your entire body.
Onions and Shitake Mushrooms – These foods have chemical compounds that counteract the harmful types of bacteria in the mouth.

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.