BEST DIET FOR HEALTHY GUMS

Do you know that healthy gums are more important for maintenance of healthy teeth?

Yes! The distance between gums and the underlying bone is constant. It is called “BIOLOGICAL WIDTH”. Hence if gum position is altered, the height of bone will also alter in order to maintain the biological width. 

Hence if the position of the gum is lowered, obviously, the height of the bone also decreases. This results in the mobility of teeth, which is called periodontitis.

WHAT ARE HEALTHY GUMS? HOW DO THEY LOOK?

  Healthy gums are tough textured gums that hold tight around teeth. They are well stippled with good vasculature. 

Loss of stippling or loose boggy receding gums is a sign of inflammation and is mostly seen in periodontitis.  WHAT IS THE COLOR OF HEALTHY GUMS?  

Healthy gums are usually coral pink in colour. The colour of gums can predict its health. A reddened area on gums is a sign of inflammation.

Healthy gums are vital for healthy teeth. But most of the times we concentrate more on cleaning teeth, but neglect gums. 

WHAT FOOD IS GOOD FOR GUM HEALTH?

Many of my patients ask me: How can I maintain my gums healthy, in a natural way doctor?

The best answer is given below. Have a read on the matter given below for a better understanding. We can preserve the health of our gums by following a specific diet protocol.

The four ingredients that play a key role in the healthy maintenance of gums are  [HEALTHY GUMS FOOD]:  

• Vitamin c
• Antioxidants
• Fibre
• Omega 3 fatty acids 

VITAMIN C:

The primary component of gums is made up of collagen. The production of collagen is directly related to the amount of vitamin C being supplied to the body. 

As the amount of Vitamin C supplied to the body decreases, the amount of collagen produced in the body also decreases. 

As a result, the repair of gums gets hampered resulting in unhealthy gums. This can indirectly result in periodontal diseases.

The best source of vitamin C is citrus fruits like lemon, orange etc. High concentrations of vitamin C are found in green chilies and bell peppers, that aid in better collagen production. They also help in the repair of damaged gums.

ANTIOXIDANTS:

Antioxidants play a key role in neutralizing toxins. They also help in preventing gum diseases and aid in collagen synthesis. 

Let me explain it in simple words. Cigarette smoking is a serious health hazard. The toxins and free radicals produced during smoking have a harmful effect on gums which are in direct contact to smoke. 

In such conditions, antioxidants play a vital role in neutralizing these toxins. Tomatoes (lycopene) are the primary source of antioxidants.   Walnut and raspberries also contain high concentrations of antioxidants. 

They aid in removing harmful toxins that aid in gum destruction.

FIBRE:

The prime role of fiber-rich food is to clean teeth and gums while chewing. The rough surface and grainy texture of the food, aids in cleaning gums while chewing. 

They also massage the gums and help in increasing vascular supply to gums. This results in healthy and vital gums. We chew more to digest fiber when compared to other dietary foods. 

This increases salivary production, resulting in better cleansing of the oral cavity. A cup of oatmeal in the morning is the best fiber source. 

Other foods like broccoli, almonds, and black beans are known sources of high fiber.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS:

Gum inflammation is the primary factor for gum receding. An inflamed gum gets irritated to surrounding plaque or calculus, thus increasing gum recession, resulting in periodontitis. 

It is a well-known fact that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation. They help in combating periodontal disease. 

An article in [American diet association journal] has advocated the impact of omega 3 fatty acids on periodontitis. They reported that DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) were associated with lower odds of periodontitis.  

The best dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids is Eggs. An egg a day can provide a good dietary source for Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Other than this, Walnuts, Flax, and beans are well-known sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.  

Food rich in these dietary supplements will help in maintaining healthy gums. They also help in decreasing gum diseases.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY GUMS

Here are few ways to keep your gums healthy.[accordion]

Brushing

Brushing twice daily is very important in maintaining the vitality of gums. The bristles of brush provide mechanical stimulation when brushed over the gums. This helps in increasing the blood supply to gums.

Flossing

Flossing helps in cleaning the interdental areas. This aids in removing un-necessary particles that stick in-between teeth. It results in a decrease in dental plaque formation. MINIMAL FLOSSING every day is advisable. 

Mouthwash

Occasional use of mouth wash helps in decreasing the bacterial load in the oral cavity. But extensive use of mouthwashes is not advisable. Hence use them with caution. 

Diet

A good and balanced diet rich in all the above dietary supplements is essential for the healthy maintenance of gums.

Toothpicks

Never use Toothpicks. They aid in increasing the gap between teeth resulting in extensive bone loss. It further leads to a condition called periodontitis, where the gums are damaged extensively.  

Diabetes

Always check whether diabetes is under control or not. Medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension can spoil the integrity of gums resulting in gum swellings.

Smoking and Drinking alcohol

Smoking has a harmful effect on gums. The excess heat generated during smoking makes the gum tissues more hard and leathery. This aids in gingival recession or decrease in height of gums resulting in periodontitis. Alcohol consumption aids in dehydration of gums which can result in severe inflammation. Hence the usage of such products should be minimized.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the best way to treat gum diseases is to prevent them. Always prevention is better than cure. 

A healthy diet plan with the above-discussed ingredients can help in combating gum diseases and aid in maintaining healthy gums.

For more information consult your dentist and get a healthy diet plan for your gums.