You’re probably already aware that while certain foods can fuel and empower your body, others can harm it. Well, the same is true for your mouth. Your teeth are responsible for chewing your food, and the ways you can strengthen them are pretty clear with fluoride treatments and dental cleanings with your dentist. But what about your gums? They offer essential protection and support for your teeth—how can you provide reinforcement for them? Well, for National Nutrition Month this March, keep reading this post from your dentist in Covington to learn about the foods and drinks that can promote your gums health.
Food and Drinks that Hurt Your Gums
When you feed yourself, you also feed the bacteria in your mouth. Harmful bacteria thrive on sugar and carbohydrates and use them to fuel the production of toxins that cause gum disease. Although some sugary foods and drinks are easy to spot, others may not be as obvious. Make it a habit to check food labels to determine the sugar content of the food and drinks you consume. Some examples of foods and drinks that benefit the bacteria in your mouth, but could harm your gums, include the following:
- Candy, particularly the chewy, sticky, or hard types.
- Soda, juice, sports drinks, energy drinks.
- Baked goods.
- Breads.
- Ice cream.
- Flavored coffees and iced tea.
- Cereal and some granola and oatmeal.
- Tomato or spaghetti sauce.
- Barbecue sauce and ketchup.
Food and Drinks that Help Your Gums
On the other hand, there are foods and drinks that can actually help promote your gum health. These foods and drinks also happen to be healthy for your body, so you can feel doubly good about making smart choices in your diet. Here are just some specific examples of gum-friendly foods and drinks.
Onions
Onions have microbial properties that neutralize the oral bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. You can include onions in most meals from salads to soups and anything in between.
Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber typically require more chewing, which stimulates saliva production. Your saliva helps to wash away food particles and plaque, keeping your teeth and gums clean. These fibrous fruits and vegetables include celery, carrots, broccoli, and apples (just to name a few), which can be incorporated into meals or consumed as healthy snacks.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are loaded with vitamins and minerals that help your gums. For example, they have vitamin C, which reduces inflammation and helps production of red blood cells. These benefits are particularly helpful when battling gum disease. Also high in fiber, leafy greens encourage saliva production.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese
In addition to the calcium that strengthens your teeth, most dairy products contain a protein called casein, which helps neutralize the acids that harmful bacteria create. Be sure to check the nutrition labels on yogurt because some can be high in sugar.
Water
As the healthiest of all drinks for your body, water is also the healthiest drink for your mouth. Not only does it have no sugar, it effectively washes away plaque, bacteria, and food particles.
Your gums do a lot to take care of your teeth. In return, you need to take care of them by consuming food and drinks that help them do their job more effectively and protect them from harmful bacteria. By adding smarter diet choices to your lifestyle, in addition to healthy oral habits, you can make a huge difference in your oral health in the long term.
About the Practice
With three talented, experienced dentists, MoreSMILES Dental Spa offers comprehensive dental care for patients in the Covington area. Their team is dedicated to creating a relaxing atmosphere with complimentary spa amenities, such as essential oils, paraffin dip and hand warmers, heated aromatherapy neck rolls, knee pillows, headphones for the overhead TVs or music, and more. To schedule an appointment with them, call (985) 809-7645 or click here.