Could Vitamin C Help You Fight Off Gingivitis?

Many people struggle with gum disease, but for some reason, knowing how to treat and reverse the symptoms of this common disease still flummoxes even the most educated person. Having a solid oral care regimen in place, including brushing and flossing, is vital for preventing gingivitis, but did you know that your diet could also play a pivotal part in maintaining your oral health?

Vitamin C and Your Gums

Most of us know better than to gorge ourselves on sweets and fizzy drinks, but despite that common knowledge, a healthy diet to ward off gum disease continues to evade us. As a testament to the importance of a healthy diet, new research strongly indicates that Vitamin C is essential to having healthy gums.

Dental experts advise brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste and following with a thorough flossing. However, if you’re taking good care of your teeth and you’re still struggling with sore, swollen, bleeding gums, you may be deficient in Vitamin C.

Vitamin C (also known as “ascorbic acid”) is vital for healthy gums, and according to a recent study, it can reverse the symptoms of gingivitis. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with the primary role of collagen synthesis and strong, healthy capillaries. Not having enough in your diet can weaken connective tissue and blood vessels, leading to damage to your gums.

Foods high in Vitamin C include:

• Citrus fruits
• Strawberries
• Papaya
• Kale
• Red and green bell peppers
• Broccoli

Signs of a deficiency can appear in as little as one month, and aggressive treatment with a multivitamin may be required. Nutritional and dental experts recommend a minimum RDA of 75mg-90mg of this important vitamin daily.

Do you have healthy teeth and gums? Oral health isn’t subjective; if your teeth are bleeding when you brush and floss, you may have early-stage gum disease. Please give our office a call to schedule a comprehensive dental exam with cleaning and an assessment of your oral health to help prevent and treat gingivitis.