Gum disease is one of the most common dental diseases in the United States. At least half of Americans over the age of 30 have experienced it, needing the help of a dentist in Simpsonville, SC, to recover their oral health. And while gingivitis is treatable, prompt diagnosis is key to preventing it from spreading and leading to considerable harm.  

Oral hygiene is key to preventing gum disease, but maintaining a proper diet and eating these superfoods plays a big role. In this article, we’ll offer tips on some foods that help prevent and combat gingivitis and why you should consider adding them to your meals!  

10 Foods That Help You Treat—And Prevent—Gum Disease

1. Nuts and Seeds

Numerous varieties of nuts and seeds are rich in nutrients and contain high levels of omega-3, an essential fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between gum disease and omega-3 intake. 

For this reason, including pistachios, sesame seeds, and macadamia nuts in your diet can give you important nutrients. 

 2. Fatty Fish, Such as Salmon

Omega-3 can also be found in oily fish, like mackerel, salmon, and herring. Their oil content helps your body fight the bacteria that cause gum disease and has anti-inflammatory effects. It also strengthens your immune system. 

 3. Grass-Fed Beef

Organ meat was a staple diet for our ancestors and a valuable source of collagen. However, these collagen sources are less popular today. 

This can be particularly dangerous in patients with gum disease because the gums’ attempt to manage the inflammation causes the tissue’s composition to reorganize, which degrades collagen. To combat this, you will need to eat a lot of collagen-rich foods. 

Grass-fed beef is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has collagen, which is excellent in preventing gum disease. 

  4. Chicken

Collagen and CoQ10, both found in chicken, are very effective in fighting gum disease. The body contains the antioxidant co-enzyme Q10, which is essential for healthy cell function. 

People who have enough CoQ10 have been shown to have a lower risk of gum disease and to be able to slow the advancement of periodontal inflammation. Don’t skip the skin, either. Despite the fact that chicken skin is rich in fat and contains a lot of collagen, many people avoid eating it. 

 5. Bone Broth

Another good source of collagen is bone broth. 

Since bone broth is a tasty way to get more of the nutrients we miss out on in the modern world, it is becoming increasingly popular as a health superfood.  

  6. Shiitake Mushrooms

Lentinan, a polysaccharide exclusive to shiitake mushrooms, is present in these mushrooms. 

Lentinan is an essential food for patients with gingivitis because it targets the dangerous bacteria that cause gum disease while sparing other bacteria. Shiitake mushrooms are also powerfully anti-inflammatory. 

  7. Broccoli

Brimming with vitamin C, broccoli has a negative correlation with gum disease and functions as an antioxidant in the body. It is also packed full of other nutrients, including vitamin B1, magnesium, iron, calcium, selenium, and niacin. 

 8. Red and Green Bell Peppers

Red and green bell peppers, which are rich in vitamin C, are a fantastic complement to a diet that fights gum disease. 

More than 300% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C can be found in one cup of red bell peppers, and more than 200% can be found in one cup of green bell peppers. Bell peppers, both red and green, actually contain more vitamin C than an orange does. 

 9. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a source of various nutrients, but they are especially high in beta-carotene. According to studies, this strong antioxidant lowers inflammation, promotes better healing in gum disease patients, and gives your body the components it needs to produce vitamin A. 

For these reasons, it’s a key food to add to your diet—and ideal for the coming fall season! 

 10. Green Tea

Green tea has a lot of catechins, which are antioxidants that prevent disease, and phenols that stop the bad bacteria that cause gum inflammation. Use this tea to your advantage—those who drink more green tea have a lower risk of gum disease! 

Improve Your Oral Health with a Well-Known Dentist in Simpsonville, SC

Gum disease is a tricky illness that can be difficult to treat and reverse without accurate information. To stop its progression and recover your oral health, besides visiting a periodontist, following a gum disease-fighting diet plays an important role. 

Here at Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re well-equipped with professionals who can diagnose you and guide you on how to fight gum disease effectively. Reach out and let us know what we can do to help you!