Did you know that February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month? Gum disease is an infection of your gums and supportive tissue that can lead to tooth loss and serious overall health issues if left untreated. In an effort to raise awareness on the importance of preventing gum disease, your dentist has put together a list of foods you can eat that will help keep your gums as healthy as possible.
#1. Onions
Known for causing tears and bad breath, onions are actually one of the best foods that you can eat for your gums. Onions have microbial properties that specifically target the types of bacteria that cause gum disease. The good thing is that onions are easy to incorporate into a lot of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, so try to eat onions when you can for healthy gums.
#2. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are healthy for you because they are full of vitamins and minerals, but their vitamin C level is why they’re good for your gums. Vitamin C reduces inflammation and increases production of your red blood cells. Both of these effects help to fight against irritation and disease of your gums.
Additionally, leafy greens require more chewing, which also helps to protect your gums. Chewing promotes saliva flow, which washes away plaque and bacteria that can cause problems for your gums.
#3. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in your body. It has antioxidants called catechins, which helps fight inflammation in your gums caused by bacteria. You can try to drink one cup of green tea a day to give your gums a little extra protection.
#4. Shiitake Mushrooms
Another Asian food staple, shiitake mushrooms, contain lentinan, which fights against plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth. This kind of bacteria loves to breed on your gumline and in hard to reach places, which can cause irritation and lead to gum disease. A good tip is to try mixing shiitake mushrooms into your entrees to keep your gums healthy.
#5. Dairy Like Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese
While you may know that dairy products are good for your teeth because of their calcium levels, foods like cheese, milk, and yogurt are also good for your gums. They contain protein called casein that helps neutralize acids created by bacteria in your mouth. These acids can lead to tooth damage, irritation and infection of your gums, and worse. That’s why mixing these healthy dairy products into your diet is a great idea.
Now that you know the best foods to eat for healthy gums, you can use these tips during National Gum Disease Awareness Month and beyond!
About the Practice
At Cambria Smiles, we have a team of 3 dentists who are dedicated to helping their patients. They believe in patient education, which is why they want you to know some additional ways to keep your gums healthy in Cambria. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (805) 927-4811.