According to health sources, more than 50% of Americans have a certain form of gum disease or periodontal disease as per the medical terminology. It is always best to mitigate this issue earlier on when you start noticing it and can help to reverse the damage.

Most people think it can be stopped by only visiting your dentist once in a while, but in reality, it entails a combination of three different and crucial things. We discuss this as well as the nutrients that are needed to help fight gum disease.

3 Essential Things When Combined Can Help Stop Gum Disease

  • Professional care
  • A gum disease-fighting diet
  • Proper oral hygiene

Proper Oral Hygiene and Care

Treating gum disease need not be a hassle, and with the right actions, you can have healthy gums in no time. One of the things that will help towards this is proper oral hygiene. There are a few things that can help towards this, so check to see if you tick all the boxes below:

  • Using extra soft bristles – people may think hard bristles are the best but they are not.
  • Swapping out your toothbrush every three months is because the bristles get sharp over time and can injure your gums.
  • Not brushing too hard – make sure you cover all four quadrants, both up and down, and one tip is to brush with your non-dominant hand to avoid being too harsh
  • Always use a good antibacterial mouthwash before and after you brush
  • Always eat a proper diet high in the right nutrients

Getting the Right Nutrients

Eating the right foods not only is good for your overall health but is also great for the health of your mouth, teeth and gums included. Even if you have the best dental habits, the wrong nutrition and foods can hinder any progress. 

When your body is healthy, your immune system is strong and will help to fight most types of diseases including that of a periodontal nature. Some nutrients are more effective than others, however. They help to promote oral microbe.

We have a few of these mentioned below. Try and include foods that are high in the following nutrients:

Beta Carotene

Nutritional research has found that eating foods high in beta-carotene can help individuals that have some form of gum disease, both to reverse it and heal it. Beta carotene is a provitamin your body turns into Vitamin A, and can also help as an anti-inflammatory.

Collagen

Collagen, which is the main structural protein that is already present in the body, is highly beneficial for oral health. Over time collagen degradation takes place and foods that are rich in Collagen can help to replace any lost protein, which can help with gum disease.

Vitamin C

When you have low vitamin C levels, your chances of getting gum disease are higher than normal. There are plenty of foods that have vitamin c in them from berries to oranges and even supplements. This can help fight gum disease caused by certain bacteria and help to improve the health of your gums. It also works hand in hand with collagen to mature it and will assist in keeping the tissues and ligaments healthy and your gums aligned.

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Another common antioxidant found in the body is CoQ10 which is used by the proper in its functionality. Here too, a lack of it can cause gum tissues. When supplemented it can help progress periodontal health and mitigate any inflammation present.

Catechins

One of the most commonly studied flavonoids, also called polyphenols are procyanidins, isoflavones (daidzein and genistein), quercetin, and catechins. Catechins are a type of compound found in tea, berries, and cocoa, also known as phenolic compounds. 

Foods that are high in antioxidants usually contain this compound. They are great for fighting bacteria in oral care and are an effective treatment for gum disease, they help rid bacteria and also help with inflammation issues.

Omega-3s

Many nutritionists and medical experts have studied omegas, both 3 and 6, and omega-3 is great nutrition for gum health. As one of the most common anti-inflammatory properties, omega 3 can aid gum disease.

What Foods Contain All of The Above

There are many food groups to choose from that will help you to get the above-mentioned nutrients, a few of these include:

  • Dairy products like milk, yoghurt and eggs
  • Teas including black and green tea
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Water
  • Whole grain foods and cereals
  • Nuts and seeds

With this knowledge, you should be on your way to healthy gums in no time!