Want Healthy Gums? Try These 7 Foods!
At our family dentistry practice in Cincinnati, we stress the importance of healthy teeth, but great gums are the very foundation of dental health. In addition, while brushing and flossing are just as crucial to healthy gums as they are for healthy teeth, diet is also key.
We always recommend limiting sugar, sodas, and even heavy acidic and citrus foods. We also encourage consuming the right kinds of fruits and veggies. These can not only provide the critical nutrients needed for healthy gums and teeth, but also help clean them and remove food particles from the crevices.
Here are seven of the best foods for healthier gums.
Crunchy Fruits and Veggies
Celery, apples, raw carrots, and other crunchy foods clean your teeth by helping scrape away food and plaque. Your teeth will actually feel cleaner afterwards! These foods are also high in fiber and harder to chew. This encourages saliva, which can further cleanse your teeth around the gum line.
Onions
Onions are excellent for teeth and gums because they neutralize the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. We encourage our Cincinnati patients to mix them into everything — salads, chilis, stir-fries, soups, and on sandwiches and hamburgers.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are rich in lentinan, an antibacterial compound that fights against plaque. What’s great about this bacterium is that it can get into hard-to-reach places between the teeth and along the gums. Also, eating a healthy dose of shiitake mushrooms can help prevent gum disease and gingivitis. Shiitake mushrooms are delicious when sauteed, mixed into a veggie stir-fry, or served as a side to a main course.
Leafy Greens
Leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are packed with gum-friendly vitamins and minerals. They are rich in vitamin C, which boosts red blood cell production while reducing inflammation. Also, leafy greens are high in fiber and require more chewing, which causes your mouth to produce more saliva. This further helps cleanse your teeth from built-up plaque and food particles.
We always encourage our Cincinnati patients to eat lots of salads and to top their sandwiches and burgers with spinach. Kale is a tasty addition to a stir fry!
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in catechins and other antioxidants that help gums fight inflammation due to oral bacteria. A daily cup of green tea not only lifts your spirits but also enhances the vibrancy of your gums. It’s a nice afternoon pick-me-up.
Milk, Yogurt, Cheese
Any dairy product is great for teeth because it contains calcium, which strengthens bones. Dairy is also rich in a protein called casein, which helps neutralize acids in the mouth that can erode gum tissue.
Drink milk if it’s compatible with your digestive tract. Eat a little yogurt for breakfast. Enjoy cheese as a topping to many foods or by itself.
Peppers and Citrus
Dark-colored veggies like peppers and acidic fruits like oranges, kiwis, pineapples, and strawberries are loaded with vitamin C. Eating foods rich in vitamin C helps reduce inflammation. Include lots of peppers and these fruits in salads or on their own. They make a healthy and delicious snack.
Healthy Gums Are the Foundation of a Beautiful Smile
You can’t have good-looking and strong teeth without healthy gums. With Beckham Square Family Dental, you’ll get comprehensive dental care that supports the health of your gums and teeth. You can also turn to us for other services, such as preventive cleanings and more restorative solutions like implant crowns. Contact us today to set up your next appointment at our Blue Ash location.