Your diet plays a crucial role in your oral health. The foods and beverages you consume will determine the strength of your teeth and gums. Some people may overlook their periodontal health, but the connective tissue keeping your teeth in place in your mouth needs to stay healthy in order to ensure your smile looks and feels its best.
Fortunately, several food items have nutritional properties known to boost the well-being of your gums in many ways. Fight gum disease, an infection of your gum tissue, and other periodontal problems by sticking to a balanced and conscientious diet. Read on to find five foods that can help you keep your gums healthy.
Apples
You might have heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But eating apples will make your dentist happy as well. These fruits make a great snack if you crave something sweet but want to avoid added sugar, which notoriously poses a threat to your dental health.
Hard-textured fruits like apples have the additional benefit of boosting oral hygiene. The crispy exterior will scrape away excess plaque as you bite into the fruit. This will lower the chances of bacterial spread and therefore oral infections like gum disease.
Nuts
Like apples, the hard texture of nuts can help you clear away excess plaque build-up while you snack, keeping your smile cleaner and reducing your risk of gum disease. Many types of nuts, like pecans and walnuts, also make for great sources of antioxidants, a substance that will fight toxins that could otherwise harm your body.
More specifically, antioxidants work to reduce inflammation throughout your body, so you can notice relief from irritation and swelling caused by gum disease. You should seek professional treatment from your dentist to get rid of gum disease for good, but nuts can improve your overall gum health.
Yogurt
Dairy products like yogurt have calcium that can strengthen your teeth. But yogurt in particular can keep your gums healthy as well. Yogurt contains probiotics, which balance bacteria throughout your body, including in your mouth.
With less excess bacteria, you can see a lower chance of contracting gum disease and other infections. Dentists promote preventative care when it comes to gum health because gum disease does not go away on its own. So you should prioritize gum disease risk reduction to avoid the infection in the first place.
Salmon
Salmon and other oily fish are known to contain omega-3s, a type of essential fat that can have anti-inflammatory properties. Like with antioxidants, you can see reduced periodontal discomfort if you have gum disease.
You should still contact your dentist about any gum concerns. But you can see less bleeding or puffiness in your gums if you include salmon and other gum-healthy foods in your diet.
Water
Some people may argue that water does not count as a food. But this beverage can definitely help you promote good gum health. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water will help you avoid dry mouth, an unpleasant dry oral condition.
A dry oral environment encourages bacteria to travel through the mouth with greater ease, which will heighten your risk for oral infections. Avoid gum disease by keeping dry mouth at bay when you drink water.