Gum disease is not limited in effect to the health of the mouth but can have an impact on the entirety of a patient’s body. At Downtown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we are committed to helping our patients set and maintain positive habits to support healthy gums, teeth, and overall bodily wellbeing.
We have created this guide to explain how nutrition and diet can affect your gum health, providing a greater chance of long-term dental and bodily wellbeing.
How Fibrous, Crunchy Foods Keep You Healthy
One of the easiest ways to enhance your gingival health is to adopt a diet high in fibrous or crunchy foods. Foods like celery, apples, and even denser foods such as whole grain bread require more chewing. The act of chewing food scrubs the surfaces of the teeth, physically removing some bacteria that may have built up.
Chewing foods also stimulates the production of more saliva. Saliva is the body’s natural protection against bacteria and can slow down or halt the process of bacterial build up. Fibrous or dense foods are a benefit in multiple ways, often also coming in the form of vegetables or hardy grains that also have numerous dietary benefits for patients.
Why You Should Avoid Sugars
Sugar is one of the most well-known threats to a healthy diet. Not only have high-sugar diets been linked to heart disease and weight gain, but are the root of many dental issues as well. Sugar is an ideal food for many of the bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria feed on sugars and produce acid in the mouth as a byproduct. As discussed below, too much acidity causes irritation of the gums and even breaks down the hard materials of the teeth. Diets low in sugar, or that use bacteria fighting sugar substitutes like xylitol, are ideal for patients looking to preserve the long-term health of their gums.
Avoid Highly Acidic Food
While sugar is often a culprit for high mouth acidity, foods that are themselves acidic can cause a number of issues. Foods such as apples, oranges, and even lemons are ultimately positive choices for many individuals’ diets, but without proper dental care after eating them, the acid from these foods can have a damaging effect. Unlike sugar, acidic foods still offer a range of nutrition benefits, so patients are encouraged to follow healthy, yet acidic options by brushing and drinking ample amounts of water. Straws can also help to limit the acidity caused by drinks.
Restore Your Periodontal Health Today
If you have experienced damage to your gingival health, contact Downtown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry today. We provide tooth and gum care for patients throughout Minneapolis and the neighboring communities.