Reviewed by Dr.Vijaykumar Kamat & written by Dr. Shivani Desai.

Nutrition is a key factor in dental and gum health. Low levels of vitamins and mineral in the blood are linked to gum and teeth diseases, such as Vitamin A, D, Calcium and Beta-carotene. Avoiding sugar and alcohol will help maintain gum health.

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What Is Periodontal Disease or Gum Disease?

Healthy teeth and gums require more than just brushing, rinsing and flossing. Your diet plays an important role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Most people will experience gum or periodontal disease at least once during their lifetime. Correct nutrition can help you to combat these diseases if they are detected early. It can progress quickly and worsen if it is not treated in the early stages. Symptoms include swollen, discolored, or tender gums; bleeding gums; receding gums; a change in the sensation of your teeth when you eat, loose, missing, or deteriorating teeth and bad breath. Inflamed gums and damaged teeth can allow harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing other chronic health issues, including coronary heart disease. Foods and dietary changes are needed to avoid these health risks.

Food recommendations for Gingivitis can be helpful.

Recommended foods:

• You can get more Beta-carotene by eating legumes, wheatgerm, mushrooms, oranges and asparagus. Also, eat spinach, bananas or strawberries.
• Calcium – Milk and cheese, yogurt, broccoli, green beans with bones, almonds, spinach, turnip leaves, kale, sardines, salmon.
• Vitamin A – Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks, and mozzarella cheese
• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers and spinach. Also, broccoli, melons, kiwi, kiwifruit, and kiwifruit.
• Selenium is a mineral that can be found in rice, wheat, meats and bread.

Foods to Moderately Consume:

Moderate beverages like black tea, black coffee

Foods you should avoid:

• Avoid acidic foods and sugary drinks containing fruit, such as hard candy, breath mints and lollipops
• Avoid starchy snacks such as bread, crackers and cereals, chips, pasta, wafers and fermentable foods.
• Avoid alcohol