You know that good oral health means keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Your gums play a major role in the appearance, function, and structure of your smile as well. Proper oral hygiene habits will prevent dental damage to both your teeth and gums, but the foods you eat contribute to your oral health too.
Certain foods will give your periodontal health a boost. Read on to learn about five foods that can help you keep your gums healthy.
5 Foods for Healthier Gums
Apples
Famously, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But dentists understand the benefits of eating an apple as well. The hard texture of the exterior of an apple will boost your oral hygiene.
This is because it can scrape plaque from your teeth in between your usual oral hygiene regimens. It lowers the spread of your mouth’s natural bacteria across your teeth, decreasing your risk of getting an infection in your gums called periodontal disease. Preventing this type of dental damage will preserve your gums, so look to this food for a dentist-approved snack.
Yogurt
Dentists will approve of yogurt in your diet because it is an excellent source of calcium. This mineral fortifies your teeth, but yogurt can also benefit the health of your gums thanks to the probiotics it contains.
Probiotics will work to balance bacteria throughout your body, including in your mouth. This will also lower your likelihood of contracting gum disease. Dentists recommend preventing this disease because it can cause irreversible damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone if it progresses. Advanced gum disease may lead to tooth loss. Eating foods that boost gum health can help you avoid these problems.
Salmon
Oily fishes like salmon feature high amounts of omega-3s, an essential fat that helps improve cardiovascular health. Many health professionals also believe this substance to contain anti-inflammatory properties, a benefit that can assist dental patients with gum disease.
In conjunction with periodontal therapy from your dentist, these can help you reduce swelling, redness, and bleeding in your gums due to this infection. Talk to your dentist for more advice in treating stubborn cases of gum disease.
Nuts
Nuts can be an optimal snack choice for dental patients seeking a boost in their gum health. Like apples, the crunchy texture of nuts can clean your teeth and prevent plaque from reaching your gum tissue.
They can also help keep your teeth strong because they can help you avoid the temptation of sugary treats. Sugar contributes to enamel erosion, so you can protect both your teeth and gums by choosing nuts as your next snack.
Water
Though some people may say that water is not a food, it is highly beneficial for your gum health. Drinking plenty of water will stave off dry mouth.
If your mouth feels dry, bacteria can spread with ease across your teeth to your gum tissue and leave you with periodontal disease. Dentists recommend drinking eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and protect your gums.