5 Foods That Fight Gum Disease

January 8, 2019

The start of a new year is an ideal time to commit to improving your health, and your mouth shouldn’t be left out of the equation. It’s not just about your teeth; your gums are also vital when it comes to your oral health. You can improve your oral health and protect your gums by simply changing some of the foods you eat. Avoiding gum disease is important, particularly as you get older. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of foods that can help you maintain healthy gums.

1. Apples

Just munching on an apple can help to improve your gums. The action forces a cleansing process that helps remove plaque from the teeth and gums. After you eat an apple, rinse with mouthwash to remove any leftover acids.

2. Milk

Yogurt, cheese and milk are full of calcium that fortifies and strengthens the bones. These products also have a protein that reduces the levels of acid in the mouth, and milk can neutralize bacteria from plaque.

3. Leafy Greens

Salads are full of fiber, which means they require significant chewing to break the pieces down. This causes the mouth to produce extra saliva, which contains healthy mouth bacteria. Foods like cooked beans, celery and raw spinach are great to help with oral health.

4. Chicken

Chicken contains collagen and other substances that are key in fighting gum disease. Even eating the skin increases collagen, so don’t be afraid to indulge occasionally.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Filled with beta carotene, sweet potatoes are essential to fighting gum disease. This nutrient provides the body with what it needs to create Vitamin A and reduces inflammation. They also contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Manganese.

Come Visit Us

Houston periodontist Dr. Friedberg is committed to the oral and overall health of his patients. To determine what you need to do to make your gums healthy, schedule an appointment at J. Robert Friedberg, DMD periodontics today.

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