When you think about your oral health, you probably most often think about keeping your teeth clean and free from cavities. While that is without a doubt important, there is more to the overall health of your mouth.

Another very essential part to pay attention to is your gums. It is the pink area that goes around your teeth and seals them in place. Your gums are naturally sensitive, but if you take care of them correctly, you can avoid things like swelling and gingivitis which can be painful and can lead to further oral health conditions.

The most effective way of keeping your gums healthy is by brushing and flossing twice a day. There is something else you can do though, and that is eating specific foods to keep your gums strong. Instead of dealing with the pain and infection that comes along with unhealthy gums, prevent the problem before it even starts. Take a look at this list and see how you can incorporate any or all of them into your diet.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Any kind of green leafy vegetable is loaded with fiber, and that helps in boosting the production of saliva. The extra saliva will rid your mouth of the bacteria that can lead to the destruction of the gums. Salads that are green and raw are an ideal choice when picking out this type of food to put on your plate.

Thyme

Thyme is an herb that is full of antibacterial properties. Whenever you get a sore throat, you can use thyme in tea as a pain reliever. That same recipe can also help in the fight against gum disease.

Cranberries

Chew up some dried cranberries for stronger gums as well. They give your gums a little bit of a massage, and while you are chewing tons of gum saving agents are released.

Aloe Vera

This is one of those plants that has an endless amount of uses. There are anti-inflammatory capabilities when used as a gargle. It can also be beneficial in the fight against gingivitis when swished around the inside of your mouth. Salicylic acid is part of the makeup of aloe vera, so that is helpful when dealing with aches and pains. It’s one of the ingredients found in aspirin.

Milk

You’ve no doubt heard that milk is good for your bones. The protein in it helps in fortifying your teeth, which are also bones. However, it does more than just that. When you drink milk, it lowers the acidic levels inside of your mouth. With a lower acid level, there is less of a chance of corrosion on your gums.

Green Tea

Inside green tea are compounds of a complex nature that are called catechins. These work at controlling bacteria and fighting off infections. Those that drink green tea have been proven to have lower instances of periodontal disease than those that don’t drink it. Another study showed that for those that drink two or more glasses of tea in a day, they have less of a chance of losing their teeth later down the road.

Even though more studies are expected to be done on the correlation between oral health and green tea, it’s probably in your best interest to go ahead and add a couple of cups of it to your daily liquid consumption. The benefits are too plenty to pass it by.

Vitamin C

Any sort of food you find with Vitamin C in it is going to help give you healthier gums. Berries, limes, and oranges also have properties that can help in preventing infection in the pink areas of your mouth.

Seeds and Nuts

Have you ever run your tongue across your teeth and gums and felt that scratchy build-up? Even if you are obsessive about keeping your teeth clean, there’s a good chance that you’ve experienced it at least once in your life. Seeds and nuts are foods that are somewhat abrasive in texture, so they help in removing this built up plaque and other stains. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flax seeds and walnuts. Those help in lowering the risk of gum disease which can also be damaging to your teeth.

Apple

They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away for more than one reason. Not only are they good for your overall health, but they are also amazing for your gums. They have the cleansing agent fiber found in them naturally to start with. There is also a saliva booster called malic acid that works to remove bacteria in the mouth. On top of all that, there is a texture to an apple that aids in improving gum health. Some say that if you can’t brush your teeth and there’s an apple available, eat the apple. It’s better than going without doing anything.

Author Bio –

This guest article is written by Sven Olsson in support of www.thantakit.com.