September 15, 2008
Gum Infection And Eating The Right Kind Of Food
To maintain resistance to periodontal disease adequate nutrition or eating the right kind of food is necessary. It is known that the defense mechanism of the gum tissues and saliva is affected by nutritional intake and status. Healthy gums normally prevent bacterial penetration that causes gingivitis that can advance to periodontitis. Nutrition deficiency increases the permeability of gum tissues thus making an individual more susceptible to bacterial plaque that causes gum infection and gum disease. Most common nutrition deficiencies are on Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Calcium and Zinc.
According to research, individuals with low vitamin C and Calcium intake are at greater risk of periodontal disease and gum infection. Nutritional status is also related to immune response. The ability of the gum tissues to utilize nutrients is altered with gum infection or periodontal disease thus normal healing and repair is interfered. Nutritional deficiency can also weaken the resistance of gum tissues to bacterial plaque resulting to inflammation and swelling of gums.
Your oral care professional is the right person that can determine and identify nutrition deficiency linked with gum infection, thus periodic dental check ups are essential combined with proper oral care and nutrition.
Filed under dental health, health by admin