Diet and Gum Disease

It makes common sense that if you eat well, you give your body vital nutrients that help boost your immune system and keep you fit and strong. But let’s face it. The majority of us just try to do our best and eat as well as possible.

That said, there are probably lots of things in your diet that will make you more susceptible to getting gum disease.

The main enemies in the fight against gum disease are sugar and starchy foods. Why? Foods that are high in sugar or starch are more likely to produce a film of bacteria which then clings to the teeth. It is difficult for regular brushing alone to combat this film.

When this film builds up to a significant level, it creates plaque which in turn creates tartar. It is impossible for brushing to remove tartar. Only the dentist has the tools to rid the mouth of tartar.

That said there are certain foods you can eat which will help you combat the build up of plaque. One of the key nutrients in the fight against gum disease is vitamin C. Vitamin C is important because it is an anti-oxidant and it helps promote bone regeneration.

As gum disease is caused by the rotting away of the bone under the gum, vitamin C is crucial in fighting it. It is possible to take a vitamin C supplement but better to get it from your foods.

Foods that are rich in vitamin C include grapefruit, orange, kiwi, mango, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

The other vitamin that is important in the fight against gum disease is vitamin D. That’s because the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D can reduce swelling in the mouth.

Foods that are highest in vitamin D include eggs and milk, but it is also possible to get vitamin D from the sun. It is recommended to get fifteen minutes of direct sun light two times a week to achieve a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Cranberry juice is also important as it has the ability to prevent plaque from sticking to the teeth. However, it is important to drink cranberry juice that has no added sugar. The recommended amount is four ounces a day.

More recently dentists are also recommending tea tree oil in the fight against gum disease. Because of the antibiotic elements in tea tree oil, using a tea tree gel in the mouth can aid the reduction of swelling and bleeding, thus controlling some of the elements of gum disease.