Your gums perform the function of supporting your teeth on a strong foundation. Thus, keeping the gums healthy is an important part of oral hygiene. Read on to know what are the best vitamins for healthy gums.
Your gums share a very close relationship with your teeth. They perform the function of supporting your teeth and laying a strong foundation for them. Keeping them healthy goes a long way in maintaining your oral health and hygiene. Any kind of gum problems can severely affect the condition of your teeth and of your gums as well.
Thus, one needs to be extra careful with gum care. Healthy gums are characterized by a light shade of pink or a darker gums for darker complexions, smooth in texture, not sensitive to food items, and do not bleed while flossing, brushing or eating.
If gum problems remain untreated for a while, they can lead to a gum disease known as periodontitis, and tooth loss at a later stage.
Vitamin C
Just as our body needs vitamin C to build the immune system, so does the gum. This vitamin prevents the gums from bleeding, thus keeping gum diseases like periodontitis at bay. Dietary intake of this keeps the gums healthy and maintains their complexion.
Consuming 60mg of vitamin C can reduce the risk of acquiring gingivitis, which causes inflammation of the gums. As this vitamin is an antioxidant in nature, it maintains the condition of connective tissues perfectly well, thus supporting bone regeneration.
If you think eating a slice of lime after a meal is taxing on your taste buds, then include a lot of food items that are rich in vitamin C. Berries, limes, oranges, broccoli, sprouts, mangoes, papaya and grapes are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin D
Early morning sunlight is the main source of vitamin D. Often, our body synthesizes this vitamin when the skin comes in contact with sunlight at sunrise. The crucial function of vitamin D is to properly utilize the calcium in the body. Calcium is known to keep our teeth and our bones in a healthy state.
Thus, its deficiency can render gums ineffective over a period of time, which can further lead to the loss of teeth. Thus, one needs to maintain right levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body, to keep the gums from contracting any diseases.
As early sunshine is the only source of vitamin D, you need to get up and spend at least 15 - 20 minutes in the sun. Exercise during this time can also prove to be extremely beneficial. Eat a lot dairy products like yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, along with eggs and fish, to supplement your body with adequate calcium intake.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is popularly used by dentists to treat oral problems. Thus, this is one of the supplements for healthy gums. Topical application of vitamin E oil on the affected area can heal it well. It alleviates the pain and reduces any kind of soreness that is caused to the gums. Use a vitamin E capsule to procure the oil to treat your gums.
Along with these vitamins for healthy gums, vitamin K, Coenzyme 10, folic acid and minerals are also important. All of these prevent any kind of gum diseases and promote healing in case of any problems. The antioxidant property of these vitamins repairs the gum tissues and thus averts any episodes of gum bleeding.
To keep your gums healthy, brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth every time you eat something. Avoid eating sugar, salt and processed food items as much as possible, as they are deficient in the essential nutrients that our body requires. Also, massage your gums twice a week, to soothe them and keep their complexion radiant.