Vitamins For Gum Health

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frozToday with frozen foods, processed foods, and fast foods, it is tough to get the right vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. That’s why many of you supplement your diets with vitamins. Vitamins give your body what it needs to function effectively. Vitamins are even good for your gingival tissue. In today’s blog, your Des Moines dentist, Dr. Stephen Burds tells you what vitamins can help keep your gums healthy.

Periodontal Disease

Research indicates that a healthy mouth can mean a healthy body. People with periodontal disease are at twice the risk of developing heart-related problems and other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and even dementia. Inflammation associated with gum disease can affect other parts of your body contributing to, exacerbating, and possibly causing chronic health problems. Proper oral hygiene can help keep periodontal disease at bay, and the right vitamins can too.

Gum Health

Many foods contain vitamins that contribute to gum health. If you don’t like these foods, you can always supplement your diet with over-the-counter vitamins. But choosing these foods over sugary foods, starches, and foods high in fat can help keep your gums healthy.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known to help heal damaged gum tissue. Choose the following foods for a diet high in vitamin A:

  • Eggs
  • Bananas
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Carrots
  • Leaf lettuce
  • Kale
  • Corn
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Yams
  • Fish
  • Cod liver oil

Vitamin C

At least 160 milligrams of vitamin C are required each day to lower your risk for gum disease. Vitamin C helps reduce risk of gum disease by fighting the growth of oral bacteria, and contributing to healthy connective tissue. Choose the following foods for a diet high in vitamin C:

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bell peppers
  • Oranges
  • Tomatoes
  • Grapefruit
  • Lemons
  • Kiwi

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus required for strong teeth and bones. Vitamin D also helps decrease inflammation, a symptom of gum disease. You can get vitamin D by allowing your skin to absorb the sun’s rays for 15 minutes a day (without sunscreen), or by choosing the following foods:

·         Eggs

·         Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines

·         Organ meats such as hearts, kidneys, and livers

 

About your Des Moines Dentist

Contact your Des Moines dentist by calling Gateway Dental Group at (515) 244-9565. We welcome patients from River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.