Your gums serve a crucial role in the appearance, function, and health of your smile. The gum tissue keeps the teeth in a secure position in the mouth. So if you develop gum disease or another periodontal problem, you could see serious and irreversible damage to your smile.
You can keep gum disease at bay by prioritizing preventative dental care. This means practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. But your diet can also contribute to maintaining good periodontal health.
Your oral health can remain in good standing when you stick to a balanced and nutritious diet. But certain foods and beverages can enhance your gum health more than others. Check out four foods you can introduce to your diet that will help keep your gums healthy when you read on.
Apples
Famously, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But you might not know that eating apples will make your dentist happy too. Apples are a great alternative to sugary treats that could harm your teeth, but they also help your gums.
Biting into a fruit with a hard outer texture, like an apple, will actually clean your teeth while you eat. The fibrous skin of the apple can scrape plaque and other residues from your teeth, boosting your oral hygiene between your teeth-brushing regimens.
Cleaner teeth will mean oral bacteria will be less likely to spread through your mouth. Then it will lower your risk of contracting an infection in your gums. Talk to your dentist about other hard or crunchy foods that can help your smile.
Yogurt
Dairy products are rich in calcium, making them very beneficial for strengthening your teeth. This mineral will fortify your tooth enamel. But yogurt in particular can boost your gum health as well.
Yogurt contains probiotics which work to balance bacteria throughout your body, including your mouth. With less excess bacteria traveling across your teeth, you can experience a decline in your risk of gum disease and other periodontal concerns.
Salmon
Salmon and other oily fish are a great source of omega-3s, a type of essential fat that studies suggest carries anti-inflammatory properties. Gum disease and other infections can lead to inflamed gums that may leave you with uncomfortable symptoms.
Gum disease requires periodontal therapy from a dentist to treat, but you can find relief from related discomfort with anti-inflammatory foods like salmon. Reduced inflammation can help with swelling, bleeding, and tenderness in the gum tissue.
Water
Some people may argue that water does not count as a food item. But there is no arguing against the benefits that water can bring to your gums. Drinking water can rinse harmful residues from your teeth, boosting oral hygiene which will help fight gum disease.
Plus, when you drink plenty of water, you will maintain hydration levels. This will stop complications like dry mouth from developing. A dry oral environment makes bacterial spread worse. So staying hydrated by drinking water will reduce this danger to your gums.