These 6 Foods and Beverages Can Help You Fight Gum Disease

The more you learn about gum disease – and the dire consequences it can have, such as tooth loss – the more you’ll want to avoid it however you can. In addition to brushing every day and seeing your dentist for regular cleanings, you can also protect your gums by changing your diet. Certain foods and beverages can go a long way toward helping you prevent gum disease; here are just 6 examples.

1. Oily Fish

Certain types of fish such as salmon are classified as “oily fish.” They tend to contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce and prevent inflammation in your gums and other parts of the body. Furthermore, oily fish are also a good source of nutrients that can improve your body’s ability to fight infection, such as vitamin A and vitamin D.

2. Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are always important for maintaining a healthy diet, of course. However, crunchy, fibrous fruits and vegetables can be especially beneficial for your mouth because they help clean your teeth and gums while you chew them. This lowers your risk for the buildup of the plaque that is commonly the culprit for gum disease.

3. Foods That are High in Calcium

Calcium is vital for keeping both your teeth and gums healthy. Thus, if you’re planning a new diet to protect your smile from gum disease, you should make sure that it includes plenty of calcium-rich foods and beverages. Milk and yogurt are both excellent examples.

4. Green Tea

It has been found that green tea has properties that may improve gum health. For one thing, it contains catechin, which is an antioxidant that helps prevent inflammation in your mouth. For another, it can be used to combat gum recession (a common side effect of gum disease) by encouraging new gum tissue to grow.

5. Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing gum that’s free of sugar can be more beneficial for your mouth than you might realize. It causes your mouth to produce more saliva, thus making it easier to keep your gums as clean as possible between meals.

6. Water

Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Not only is this important for staying hydrated, but each sip helps wash away bits of food in your mouth. Getting rid of these food particles as quickly as possible means that harmful bacteria have less of a chance to feed on them, thus reducing plaque buildup.

Do you want a few additional suggestions for a diet that will help keep your gums safe? Speak to your dentist at your next appointment to see what they suggest.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental Clinic, our dental experts make it their mission to help all kinds of patients protect their smiles. Our services include different types of periodontal therapy that can be used to treat gum disease. Of course, we also offer routine checkups and cleanings that can help prevent gum disease from occurring in the first place. To set up your next visit to our Accra office, visit our website.