Know Your ABC's

Sure, you take good care of your teeth but what about your gums? With so much emphasis on cavities, it can be easy to forget that your gums need care, too.

Vitamins* can be either curative or preventive depending upon the situation; either way, vitamins are very important to your gums. Here are a few of the most important vitamins for gum health:

• Vitamin A is an antioxidant that supports skin and cellular health as well as bone metabolism. Good sources of Vitamin A are liver, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach and pumpkin.
• Folic Acid is a B vitamin that can destroy the toxins that lead to plaque and gingivitis. Good sources of Folic Acid are spinach, egg yolks and beans
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that helps restore gum tissue. Get adequate levels of Vitamin C to both prevent and treat gum disease. Good sources of Vitamin C are red peppers, strawberries, broccoli and citrus fruits.
• Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory vitamin that can help treat gum bleeding and prevent periodontal disease. Current recommendations are for 10 minutes of sunlight a day to get your vitamin D. Other good sources of Vitamin D are salmon, tuna, whole egg and fortified milk.spinach
• Zinc is a mineral that can prevent infections and restore gum tissue. Good sources of Zinc are almonds, pumpkin seeds, oysters and beef.

Keep your gums healthy with a combination of brushing, flossing, healthy eating and regular dental check-ups  If you are deficient in vitamins and minerals, your gums maybe showing the early warning signs like receding, sponginess and colour changes. Come see us to determine your gum health.

*Follow the Recommended Daily Allowance guidelines for the healthy amount of vitamins to consume.