What are Gum-friendly Foods, and Why Should You Eat Them?

Everybody has heard of heart-friendly and brain-friendly foods but–gum-friendly foods? Yes, there really are specific foods that can help prevent gingivitis (gum disease) and also reduce the risk of periodontitis. Gingivitis treatment dentist Dr. Christopher Port at Family Dental Health of South Asheville wants Arden, North Carolina residents to know about the role of diet in preventing gum disease and when they should seek treatment for gingivitis.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis emerges when layers of plaque accumulate on the teeth and gums. Neglecting to brush and floss teeth regularly in between dental cleanings is the main reason gums swell, bleed, and shrink away from the gum line. Unless gingivitis is reversed, a more serious condition called periodontitis may promote extensive tooth decay, tooth loss, and painfully swollen gums.

5 Best Foods for Gum Disease

Omega 3 and 6 are anti-inflammatory fatty acids that the body cannot produce. Molecules called cytokines are primarily responsible for gum inflammation linked to gingivitis and periodontitis. Sesame seeds, pistachios, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, and spinach are examples of gum-friendly foods that may help reverse mild gingivitis symptoms.

Chicken contains collagen and CoQ10, two nutrients that support gum health by strengthening gingival tissue fibers and providing antioxidants to fight inflammation. One study investigating people with gingivitis and periodontal disease found that after subjects supplemented their diet with CoQ10 and underwent scaling and root planing, they showed a significant reduction in gum disease compared to subjects who took placebos. 

Although broccoli isn’t a fruit, it does contain rich amounts of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that may help prevent gum disease. The body can’t make vitamin C, so you need to eat plenty of citrus fruits, potatoes, bell peppers, spinach, and berries to maintain adequate levels of vitamin C.

Did you know sweet potatoes are higher in beta-carotene content than carrots? Like vitamin C and omega fatty acids, beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.

Catechins are health-promoting plant chemicals in pome fruits (apples and pears), barley, and green tea leaves. Considered to be some of the most effective anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, catechin-containing food like green tea has been found to reduce symptoms of gum and periodontal disease.

Ensuring you eat the right foods, practice good oral hygiene, and keep regularly scheduled cleanings can go a long way in preventing the development of hardened tartar and plaque responsible for gingivitis. If you have advanced gum disease, you may need a nonsurgical, deep-cleaning dental treatment called scaling and root planing to treat gingivitis.

To learn more about the role of diet in preventing gum disease, Arden, North Carolina residents depend on Dr. Christopher Port at Family Dental Health of South Asheville to give them the information they need to reduce their risk of gingivitis. Call our office today at 828 585 4049.