If there was an easy way to make your gums as healthy as possible, why wouldn’t you do it? Gums are the foundation of your mouth and help protect bones and fight off bacteria. Everything that you eat encounters your gums, so it makes sense that by improving your diet, they’ll be in even better shape. Luckily, your dentist recommends some common foods you can find to help with your gum health.
What Should I Eat for Healthier Gums?
An easy way to make sure your gums are getting the support they need is to introduce these foods into your diet:
- Onions have certain properties that fight off and neutralize harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. An easy way to incorporate more onions into your diet is to put them on salads, use them as condiments, and put them in soups.
- Leafy greens like kale and spinach are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C, the main vitamin found in leafy greens, boosts your red blood cell count and reduces inflammation. That means they can ward off gum disease and mouth irritation. Also, because they’re so fibrous, they help you produce more saliva and clean up any food and bacteria in your mouth.
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants which helps your gums battle inflammation caused by gum disease.
- Peppers and citrus are also high in vitamin C and have anti-inflammatory properties. You can easily incorporate them into smoothies or on salads.
- Shiitake mushrooms hold an antibacterial compound called lentinan which stumps the growth of plaque-building bacteria.
- Celery, carrots, and apples are all crunchy and help scrub your mouth clean of food and plaque. They wedge their way into crevices and corners of your mouth, helping you keep fresh between brushings.
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese are all high in calcium, which helps strengthen your bones and your gums. Casein, found in most dairy, helps stop bacteria-producing acid from overtaking your mouth. Acids can destroy enamel and gum tissue and cause serious irritation. Having a healthy amount of dairy in your life can keep your gums thriving.
What’s the Significance of My Gum Health?
Your gums are more important than you think. When you don’t properly care for them, serious consequences can arise from gum disease. That’s why it’s so important to stick to your oral routine of brushing twice a day, flossing, and using a dentist-recommended antibacterial mouthwash. It’s also important to remember to schedule your semi-annual cleaning with your dentist to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Your gum health is vital to your oral hygiene, so don’t put it off! By making a few simple changes in your diet like drinking an extra glass or two of milk a day, you can do wonders for your teeth.
About the Practice
Drs. Suzan Rismani-Flenniken and Neil Flenniken emphasize individualized and gentle patient care. Offering decades of experience between them, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in their hands. You’ll be walking out the door with newfound self-confidence and your best smile! For any questions or to schedule an appointment for your semi-annual cleaning, visit our website or contact us at 717-836-1259.
