Your diet can play a major role in your oral health. When it comes to your gums, the connective tissue that keeps your teeth in place in the mouth, the food you eat proves just as important.
About half of adults will suffer from gum disease, an infection of the gum tissue. The infection can cause severe damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw and requires periodontal therapy from a dentist to treat it.
For this reason, dentists advocate for preventive care when it comes to your gums. And your diet can help to keep your gum tissue healthy. Find four examples of foods that can help you promote healthy gums when you read on.
Apples
You may have heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But eating apples can make your dentist happy as well. Apples make for a great snack alternative if you crave something sweet. This way, you can avoid sugar that would otherwise hurt your teeth.
But apples will also help the health of your gums. The hard outer texture of an apple will scrape plaque and other build-up from your teeth as you bite into it.
Therefore, you can boost your oral hygiene while you eat. With less plaque on your smile, you can stop bacterial spread and therefore reduce your risk of contracting gum disease.
Yogurt
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contain calcium which ensures your teeth stay strong. But yogurt can also play an important role in your gum health. It has probiotics that work to keep bacteria balanced throughout your body. This includes bacteria present in the mouth.
With excess bacteria at bay, you can lower the chances of oral infections, therefore ensuring your gums stay free of disease. Then they can continue to function without irritation or other issues.
Salmon
Salmon and other oily fish are prime sources of omega-3s, an essential fat. Studies suggest that these nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties. So if you suffer from inflammation in the gums due to an infection, eating salmon can reduce these uncomfortable symptoms.
You will still require intervention from your dentist to get rid of gum disease for good. But you can find relief from periodontal problems with help from your diet. Do not delay contacting your dentist about issues in your gums.
Water
Some people may argue that water does not count as a food. But water’s benefits for your gums are clearly evident. Drinking water keeps you hydrated so that you do not develop dry mouth.
A dry oral environment will allow natural oral bacteria to travel with ease across your teeth where they can easily infect your gums. A sip of water will give you acute relief from dry mouth. But you should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and avoid developing dry mouth altogether.
Preventative oral health care can ensure you do not have to suffer oral discomfort or damage to your smile. Learn how your diet can influence your dental health when you give your dentist a call today.