Gum Protection: Avoid These 4 Foods to Protect Your Gums

We all know about brushing and flossing, but you can do more to protect your gums! Avoid these foods to keep your gums healthy.

Many of us are aware of the dangers of tooth decay. But did you know that gum disease is also a leading cause of tooth loss? Healthy gums support your teeth and protect the roots of your teeth from decay. 

To help our patients brush up on gum protection tips, we offer this overview of acidic foods that you should consider cutting back on.

Small changes in your diet can help with gum disease prevention and even enamel protection. To protect your gums, consider reducing consumption of the following. 

Starchy Foods

In the fight against gum disease, the enemy is bacteria. The tiny microbes are a natural part of our body's microbiome, but out of control bacterial growth can leave gums inflamed and damaged. 

Starchy foods like bread are easily broken down into sugar. Bacteria feed off sugar and rapidly multiply.



Gums react by becoming inflamed. Over time, this can lead to periodontitis. 

Soft Drinks

Many soft drinks deliver a double punch of sugar and acid. The acids that are used in soft drinks can quickly erode enamel. Sugars can coat the teeth and gums. 



The presence of sugar can lead to rapid bacteria growth that can cause gum disease. Try to substitute soft drinks with a nutritious diet for teeth that include bottled water or carbonated water. For more great tips, talk to our esteemed dentist, Dr. Suzanne Spence Williams.

Alcohol

This one can be a real buzzkill. Unfortunately, excessive alcohol consumption negatively affects your gums in several ways. Alcohol is tied to incidents of oral cancer, especially when people consume alcohol and smoke tobacco.



Alcohol can dry out your mouth, which can leave your gums vulnerable to bacteria. Depending on what type of alcoholic drinks you consume, you may be drinking excessive amounts of sugar, which is bad for your gums for the reasons listed earlier in this article. 

Candy

It seems like dentists are always harping on candy, but there's a good reason. Candy is bad for your gums for two main reasons. One, candy is basically sugar, and bacteria feed on sugar.

Two, candies tend to be sticky. The sugary treats stick to teeth and gums. This leaves your gums exposed to the dangerous effects of sugar for long periods of time. 



Replacing candy with fruit, nuts, and other treats can help boost the health of your gums and overall oral health. Some treats, like chewing gum, have sugar-free versions. 

Learn More Gum Protection Tips

Small steps can help boost your gum protection. Our diet is one of the largest factors that shape oral health. Reducing the foods and drinks listed in this article will also help protect your enamel.



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