Best Tips On Gum Health
Eat a balanced diet – Gum Health
Eating healthy foods boosts your immune system and allows you to fight off infections. Include foods rich in antioxidant properties in your meals. Examples include sources of vitamin E, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and leafy vegetables, and sources of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes.
Watch your sugar intake, especially if you have diabetes, as you are at higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Diabetes reduces your ability to resist bacteria and slows healing. Advanced gum disease or periodontitis, in turn, can also cause your blood sugar to rise, making it harder to control your diabetes.
Brush twice a day
Brush your teeth after every meal. This helps remove food and plaque from between the teeth and gums. Rub your tongue too, as it may contain bacteria
Your toothbrush should have soft bristles and fit comfortably in your mouth, says the Mayo Clinic. Consider an electric or battery-powered toothbrush. These can help reduce gingivitis and plaque more than manual brushing. Change toothbrushes or brush heads every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles start to fray.
Vitamin C
There is some evidence that vitamin C may play a role in protecting gum health. For example, in a study published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2000, researchers analyzed data from 12,419 adults and found that those who consumed the least vitamin C had the highest risk of periodontal disease.
To help replenish vitamin C, you can include foods such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, mango, papaya, strawberry, red bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe in your diet.
Rinse your mouth carefully
Many people rinse their mouths after brushing their teeth. However, oral hygiene practices should complement the efficacy of fluoride products, such as toothpaste.When a person rinses their mouth with water after brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, it removes the fluoride. Conversely, when a person rinses their mouth after eating, they can wash away food and bacteria that can cause plaque and tartar to form.