Sunday, November 13, 2011

Diet Tips to Stop Swollen Gums



Gum swelling is a painful infection where the gum area in any part of the mouth is inflamed. This causes great discomfort to the one affected that is why people are looking for a lot of treatments just to alleviate this problem. Swollen gums are oftentimes caused by the buildup of plaque, while some are caused by the deficiency vitamins and minerals on the body. Eating nutrient-rich whole foods daily can give good dental health. It is also best to avoid eating processed foods, simple table sugars, and foods that stick in your teeth. These sugars causes tooth decay with results to swollen gums. Foods that have sharp pieces are best avoided because it can cause issues on the gums.

It is has been known for many years that Vitamin C can help the gums. Sailors in the 18th century have been using limes during long trips at sea to keep their gums from swelling and bleeding. Vitamin C is an antioxidant needed to repair connective tissue and accelerate bone regeneration. It also helps reduce the periodontal pockets that harbor harmful bacteria that cause swollen gums. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that keep any dental disease from progressing and alleviates the symptoms for swollen gums. To boost your intake of Vitamin C, it is best to eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe.

Vitamin D has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the mouth's susceptibility to swollen gums. Sun exposure is one of the important sources of Vitamin D because it triggers the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin. Studies have found that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D were less likely to experience bleeding gums during gingival probing. It is recommended to have 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure twice a week to get the appropriate amount for the body. This can also be obtained from some foods, such as fish and fortified dairy products, as well as supplements.

Vitamin B complex is made up of 8 vitamins namely: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and B-12. All of them are needed for cell growth and for a healthy blood contributing to a healthy gum tissue. The vitamin B12 is found in animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products while the other B vitamins are found in whole grains and many vegetables, as well as animal products.

Deficiencies of certain vitamins have been associated with swollen gums and gum disease. To treat swollen gums, one must correct any of these deficiencies because they are an integral component for stopping such problem.



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