Your dentist may have explained to you that brushing your teeth benefits your gums too. Protecting and caring for your gums now can prevent oral conditions down the road that can increase your risk for more serious illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Your Ellington dentist has some helpful information about different vitamins and minerals that are also great for preventing gum disease. Read on to find out how to know if your gums are healthy and how to keep them that way.

How Can I Know if My Gums Are Healthy?

Your gums do more than surround your teeth. They are responsible for sealing, supporting, and shielding them from bacteria. So, how can you know if your gums are healthy? Here are a few characteristics to notice:

• Healthy gums should be firm and pink in color, not red or swollen.
• Every now and then, it’s normal for gums to bleed slightly when irritated by brushing or flossing, but it should not happen frequently.
• If your gums are healthy, they will never appear to be receding from the teeth.
• The contour of your gums around your teeth should match the rest of your teeth, creating a scalloped pattern around the gum line of the mouth.

Vitamins and Minerals That Are Great for Your Gums

Most people know regular brushing and flossing helps maintain gum health, but you may be surprised to learn that certain vitamins and minerals help prevent gum disease too. It’s important to understand that healthy gums begin with healthy teeth, so while many are geared toward bone health, they are just as crucial to defending gums. In order to do their job of protecting your teeth, your gums need the support of strong bones. Here are the top seven vitamins and minerals that your gums love and the benefits they come with:

• Calcium – Responsible for bone growth, this one is pretty much a given. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are the most obvious sources, but if dairy isn’t an option, broccoli and salmon are also rich in calcium.
• Vitamin D – This helps the body absorb calcium. Fatty fish, canned tuna, and portabella mushrooms are all great sources of Vitamin D. For those opposed to fish or mushrooms, milk and orange juice are great alternatives.
• Potassium – Potassium enhances bone density and works with Magnesium to lower acidity in the blood so that the body doesn’t try to draw calcium from the bones. Its sources include bananas, lima beans, tomatoes, potatoes (sweet potatoes included), avocados, and prunes.
• Phosphorus – Phosphorus works alongside calcium to help support strong bones. Phosphorous is found in a wide range of seafoods, soybeans, lentils, beef, pork, and cheese.
• Vitamin K – This vitamin both shields and strengthens bones. For those who never wanted to eat their greens, this one may be tougher to swallow with a list including Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, collards, parsley, and broccoli.
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C strengthens the soft tissue in the mouth. Citrus fruits, potatoes, and leafy greens are the best sources of this vitamin.
• Vitamin A – This is important for protecting the mucus membranes in the mouth, preventing dryness, and promoting quicker healing. Foods that are the best sources for Vitamin A are fish, egg yolks, liver, leafy greens, and orange-colored fruits.

When it comes to regularly consuming vitamins and minerals that prevent gum disease, your options are endless. If you eat well, consume your vitamins, and take care of your gums now, you can look forward to a clean bill of health in the future.

About the Author

Dr. Warren Zahner works alongside his two sons, Dr. Shawn Zahner and Dr. Jonathan Zahner, at their private practice in Ellington. They each value the long-term relationships that they have built with everyone they care for. Their top priority is educating their patients to help them take the best care of their teeth and gums and give them the tools they need to stay healthy for the long haul. If your gums need some attention, make sure to request an appointment with Zahner Dental online, or call us at (860) 265–4591.