Gum disease can be one of the biggest dangers for your oral health. Bacteria and plaque buildup at the base of your teeth and wear down your gums. It’s hard to reverse, which is why you want to prevent it from ever starting. In addition to brushing your teeth and flossing, there are foods you can eat that can help protect your teeth and repair some damage.
There are minerals in food—calcium, fluoride, and fiber—that are natural protects for your teeth and gums. Consuming foods rich in these nutrients is important to help add to the work you’re doing already to keep your teeth clean with flossing and cleanings. While avoiding sugar is obvious, some of these foods might be surprises to find they are good for your oral health.
Below are some of the best foods you can eat to promote healthy gums and overall oral health.
Vegetables
The key to eating the right fruits and vegetables for your gums is fiber. Fiber rich foods help keep your gums and teeth clean and also encourage saliva creation which is part of your mouth’s natural defense against gum disease and cavities. Aim for vegetables lower in starch as the natural sugars can attract bacteria and slow saliva creation.
Green and Black Teas
Green and black teas consist of polyphenols that can do a number on plaque bacteria. This creates a defense against bacteria and the acid they secrete that can breakdown enamel and damage your gums. You can even boost this by using fluoride rich water to brew your tea.
Sugar-free Gum
Gum is great for saliva creation which can remove particles of food and bacteria from your mouth. But you want to stick to sugar free gum so you don’t completely undo the work you’re doing by leaving behind sugar for bacteria to consume and then leave acidic secretions at the base of your teeth and gums.
Fluoride Rich Foods
You’re going to find this most in tap water, but other things have fluoride. Powdered juices that are low in sugar are great and dehydrated soups. Any poultry product, seafood, and powdered cereals also contain high amounts of fluoride which helps protect against gum disease and cavities.
Calcium Rich Foods
This is going to primarily be dairy products—milk, yogurt, and cheese. These foods encourage the creation of saliva and put minerals back into your teeth and gums that are lost during the day. They also will protect tooth enamel.
Related Questions
Can damaged gum disease grow back?
Unfortunately, no. If you have substantial gum loss there are restorative treatments available but it will never grow back on its own which is why it is important to prevent gum tissue loss. One gum rejuvenation treatment now available is the Pinhole Surgical Technique which is less invasive, and better for the patient with remarkable results.
Can mouthwash help with receding gums?
Mouthwash targets bacteria as a supplement to flossing and brushing your teeth so it can help prevent receding gums by washing away harmful bacteria and preventing plaque. Make sure to talk to your dentist about your dental concerns and options to get your oral health restored beginning today!
A healthy mouth for life
Maintaining a healthy mouth for life begins with proper daily oral health practices including eating foods that promote healthy gums so they can support your teeth. If your gums are compromised, then your teeth are susceptible to the ill effects of bacteria leading to a host of dental and physical issues. Finding the right dentist to address your dental concerns in the best way possible is also part of the journey to keeping your moth healthy and happy.
Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp has the best dental care in the area and is a #1 choice for many reasons. We are a full-service dental clinic with a caring staff committed to the long-term dental health of each patient. Dr. Sedki has more than 20 years of experience and is highly skilled and trained in all the latest dental treatments and procedures in modern and cosmetic dentistry including the Pinhole Surgical Technique for treating gum recession.
Whether you are looking to brighten your teeth, straighten your smile, restore your dental health or treat an ongoing oral health issue, you are in the right place. Call today for a Free Dental Consultation and see why our Commerce area dental office is preferred by so many!