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Since it afflicts more than half of Americans, gum disease is an unfortunately common problem. Thankfully, it can be reversed in its early stages with the proper care and lifestyle changes. Preventing and combatting gum disease involves three things: proper oral hygiene, seeing your dentist, and eating the right diet. Here’s a brief overview of a few of the foods that can help prevent or address gum disease.
What Foods Fight Gum Disease?
There is a wide variety of tasty foods that can help ward off gum disease, and many of them make for delicious snacks or filling meals. A few of these include:
Probiotics
Probiotics are believed to combat the accumulation of plaque and harmful oral bacteria by increasing the populations of beneficial bacteria in your mouth. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s are fatty acids that are a crucial part of a balanced diet, and they have anti-inflammatory properties that help address the inflammation caused by gum disease. A few sources of omega-3s include nuts like pistachios, macadamia nuts, and sesame seeds as well as oily fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel.
Grass-fed beef
Collagen can help fight gum disease, and grass-fed beef is rich in this material. Grain-fed beef, on the other hand, contains antibiotics, omega-6s, and other substances that can cause inflammatory disease.
Green tea
Green tea is high in catechin, an essential nutrient for combatting gum disease. This popular beverage is also known to inhibit the development of periodontal disease in the first place.
Green and Red Bell Peppers
Since bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, they can be quite useful for fighting gum disease. A single cup of red bell pepper contains more than three times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C while a cup of green bell pepper contains about twice that allowance. Including these tasty fruits in your diet can help keep your gums healthy.
Gum disease is an insidious threat that can sneak up on an unsuspecting individual. By consuming foods like these, you may be able to prevent gum disease or reduce its symptoms.
About the Practice
Juno Beach Smiles delivers the finest dental health services to the community of Juno Beach, FL. Led by Drs. Greg Riley and Duane Keuning, the staff ensures that each patient receives effective treatment in a compassionate and welcoming office. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about combatting gum disease, contact the office online or dial (561) 622-7243.