5 Vitamins and Minerals That Can Help You Maintain Healthy Gums

How can you keep your risk of gum disease to a minimum? Obviously, practicing excellent oral hygiene and visiting the dentist twice a year are vital steps. However, it’s also important to pay close attention to your diet and make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need to maintain healthy gums. Below is a brief look at 5 key vitamins and minerals that can go a long way toward preventing gum disease.

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C can be found in oranges, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, and many other fruits and vegetables. This nutrient plays a critical role in producing collagen, which is essential for maintaining healthy and strong gums. A lack of vitamin C can leave the gums weakened and more susceptible to infection. In other words, if you want to avoid gum disease, getting plenty of vitamin C is a must.

2. Vitamin D

You can get vitamin D from a variety of foods such as eggs and fatty fish, but it can also be produced by the skin whenever you’re exposed to sunlight. One of the many benefits of vitamin D is that it helps strengthen the immune system. This improves the body’s ability to protect itself from the harmful bacteria that can cause gum disease.

3. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that you can get from various types of meat and nuts. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and it inhibits the growth of harmful oral bacteria. As such, zinc plays an important role in protecting your body from gum disease and other kinds of infections.

4. Calcium

Calcium can be found in milk and other dairy products. Not only is this mineral good for your teeth and bones, but it can also play a role in repairing damaged gum tissue, thus reducing the inflammation associated with gum disease. Remember, your body can only absorb the calcium from the foods you eat if you’re also getting plenty of vitamin D.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is in all kinds of foods, including carrots, eggs, salmon, tomatoes, and cheese. It plays an important role in all kinds of bodily functions. Notably, it helps the body produce saliva in order to maintain a moist oral environment that’s protected against gum disease. It can also help keep the soft tissues in your mouth – including the gums – in good condition.

Are you getting the nutrition you need to maintain healthy gums? It can be worth taking a closer look at your diet and seeing if there are any adjustments you can make to ensure that your smile is well-protected against gum disease.

About the Author

Dr. William J. Twohig has over 47 years of dental experience. He takes a natural, holistic approach to dentistry, which means he uses non-toxic, biocompatible materials that don’t have a negative impact on the rest of the body. At his practice in Weyauwega, he offers multiple options for treating gum disease, including ozone therapy, scaling and root planing, and the Chao Pinhole Technique. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Twohig by visiting his website or calling (920) 867-3101.