It is formed when bacteria in the mouth mixes with saliva and residues from starchy foods and sugar in your diet. If plaque is not properly removed from teeth by brushing and flossing, it accumulates and hardens underneath the gum-line into tartar.
Once tartar builds up, it is much more difficult to remove than plaque and usually requires a cleaning at the dentist. Over time, it can lead to inflamed gums or gingivitis; which is a mild form of the oral disease.
Professional cleaning can reverse gingivitis if it is caught early enough. One of the most common symptoms is darker red gums that bleed with brushing or flossing.
If there is bleeding with pain, it is a symptom that the infection and inflammation has spread to the deeper tissues and bone, called periodontitis. Periodontitis is known to be responsible for tooth loss, more so than cavities.
The link between vitamin C deficiency and gum disease is well known. A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that people with low intakes of vitamin C had higher rates of periodontal disease.
People who consume less than the recommended dietary allowance of 60 mg per day were 1.5 times the risk of developing severe gingivitis as people who consumed more than 180 mg. Vitamin C is believed to help the oral disease because vitamin C is an antioxidant and is needed to repair connective tissue and accelerate bone regeneration.
To boost your intake of vitamin C, eat foods such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cantaloupe. Vitamin C can also be taken in supplement form; but avoid chewables, because the acidity may promote the erosion of tooth enamel over time.
Vitamin D has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce susceptibility to the oral disease. A study found that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D were less likely to experience bleeding gums during gingival probing.
Sun exposure is one of the most important sources of vitamin D, because Ultra Violet rays from the sun trigger the synthesis of vitamin D in skin. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements suggests 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure twice a week.
Keep in mind that the further away from the equator you live, the more polluted your city, and the more cloud cover there is. This means that it is less likely that this sun exposure will be sufficient; so you can look for at least 200 IU in a multivitamin.
Stress contributes to the oral disease by increasing plaque accumulation and bleeding in the gums. A study found that students had significantly higher rates of plaque and gingivitis after exams compared to a control group of students that didn't write exams.
There is some evidence that links the oral disease to lower levels of coenzyme q10, an antioxidant made naturally in the body, found widely in foods, and available in supplement form. Some researchers say that coenzyme q10 is needed to properly repair gum tissue.
You can look find toothpaste containing coenzyme q10 at natural grocers, health food stores, and online. Tea tree oil also has proven antibiotic properties that are beneficial for the health of the body and the mouth.
A topically applied tea tree oil gel was evaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 49 people with severe chronic gingivitis. They were told to brush twice a day and were assessed after 4 and 8 weeks.
The group that brushed with tea tree oil had a significant reduction in the degree of gingivitis and bleeding; but the tea tree oil gel did not reduce the amount of plaque.
You should only use commercial tea tree toothpaste, not the tea tree oils themselves. Cranberry may also help gum disease by preventing bacteria from sticking to teeth.
Look for cranberry juice with no added sugar at the health food store. A typical amount is 4 ounces a day, but you should consult your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner or have kidney stones.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentist in Victorville, CA. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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