Dental issues such as receding gums can impact your daily life. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent the progression of this condition and maintain healthy gums. At Supreme Dentistry, our dental services in Houston, Texas, can help you achieve optimal oral health and provide tips on caring for your gums.
We can help you understand the types of foods to avoid with receding gums and how to make healthier choices for your oral health. Don’t hesitate to call us at 844.966.2333 to schedule an appointment so that we can make a plan of action to help you maintain your health.
Understanding Receding Gums
Receding gums, medically known as gingival recession, is a condition where the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root. This process isn’t overnight. It happens gradually, making it easy to overlook until noticeable symptoms appear.
Here are some prominent symptoms to look out for:
- Tooth sensitivity – Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages
- Longer teeth – Your teeth may appear longer than normal as more of their structure gets exposed
- Inflamed gums – The gums might seem red, swollen, and tender to the touch
- Bleeding after brushing or flossing– If your gums bleed after routine dental care, it might indicate a problem
- Bad breath – Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth could also be a sign
Early detection is vital to mitigating severe outcomes associated with receding gums. It’s important to visit your dentist regularly and notice these symptoms.
The Role of Diet in Gum Health
Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy gums. What we consume can either alleviate or aggravate conditions like receding gums. Certain foods, rich in sugar and harmful carbohydrates, can foster the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce toxins that irritate your gums, leading to inflammation and, over time, causing your gums to recede.
Identifying and avoiding these culprits from your diet can significantly improve gum health. This is where understanding the types of foods to avoid with receding gums becomes incredibly important, as it can help prevent further damage and promote overall oral health.
15 Foods to Avoid with Receding Gums
When it comes to managing receding gums, your diet can play a significant role. Here is a list of 15 foods to avoid with receding gums:
- Sugary drinks
- Hard candies
- Coffee and tea
- Alcoholic beverages
- Refined carbohydrates
- Pickles
- Tomatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Sticky and dried fruits
- Garlic and onions
- Potato chips
- Popcorn
- Spicy food
- Ice
- Sports drinks
While avoiding these foods is advisable, following a balanced, nutritious diet and maintaining good oral hygiene practices are equally important.
Food for Inflamed Gums
Incorporating certain foods into your diet can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing when dealing with inflamed gums. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers, can boost your immune system and speed up the healing process. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like carrots, celery, and apples, are nutritious and work like a natural toothbrush, helping to clean teeth and massage your gums.
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseeds, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe your inflamed gums. Additionally, drinking plenty of water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, promoting oral health. Keep in mind that while diet is significant, it should serve as a complement, not a substitute, to proper oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups.
Foods to Avoid with Gingivitis
Gingivitis, a common gum condition marked by inflammation of the gums, can be exacerbated by the foods we consume. Especially harmful are foods high in sugar, such as candies, pastries, and sodas, that stimulate the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. Likewise, starchy foods like bread, pasta, and potatoes can break down into simple sugars and contribute to this problem.
Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and coffee, can further irritate already inflamed gums. Additionally, alcoholic drinks have a tendency to dehydrate the mouth, disrupting the bacterial balance and rendering gums more vulnerable to gingivitis. Given these factors, it is evident that making dietary adjustments plays a crucial role in addressing this oral health concern.
Call Supreme Dentistry to Schedule an Appointment with Us for Dental Services in Houston, Texas
Our team of experienced dentists at Supreme Dentistry provides comprehensive dental services to improve oral health. If you’re concerned about receding gums or any other dental issues, we are here to help. Our friendly and approachable tone will make you feel comfortable as we work toward achieving optimal gum health together. Don’t wait until it’s too late; schedule an appointment with us today by calling 844.966.2333 or contacting us online, and we can answer any of your concerns or questions, especially about the types of foods to avoid with receding gums.
FAQs
Brushing too hard or too aggressively. Dental plaque or tartar buildup. Periodontal disease. Trauma or injury to your gum tissue.
What aggravates gum recession? ›
Brushing too hard or too aggressively. Dental plaque or tartar buildup. Periodontal disease. Trauma or injury to your gum tissue.
What foods heal gums? ›
There are many foods that can help to promote healthy gums and reduce your risk of gum disease. Leafy greens, citrus fruits, berries, green tea, onions, yogurt, garlic, almonds, salmon, and water are all great choices for supporting gum health.
What foods should you avoid during periodontal therapy? ›
Avoid sugary treats, sodas, and fruit juices that can erode tooth enamel and hinder the healing of inflamed or damaged gums. Carbonated beverages, including soda and sparkling water, contain high levels of carbonic acid, which can weaken tooth enamel and potentially interfere with the healing process.
What heals gum recession? ›
Deep cleaning, or dental scaling and root planning, is one of the most effective ways to heal mild to average gum recession. The dentist or periodontist uses special tools to remove plaque and bacteria deep from the gum pockets during the treatment.
How do you stop gum recession ASAP? ›
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash will help you keep a healthy smile and will indeed help stop gum recession in its tracks. But for the healthiest mouth, you need to get professional dental cleanings too.
How to stop gum recession from getting worse? ›
Good Oral Hygiene Habits
One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
What fruit rebuilds gums? ›
Vitamin C also strengthens the gums and other oral soft tissue by encouraging the production of collagen protein that forms part of the gums. Foods rich in vitamin C include peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits like oranges, potatoes, broccoli, blackcurrant, and brussels sprouts.
Are bananas good for your gums? ›
Not only does it stimulate saliva production, but it also helps clean away leftover food particles on your teeth after a meal. Bananas are a source of vitamin B6, which the body needs to produce antibodies. These antibodies help prevent gum disease.
Are eggs good for gums? ›
Eggs are a complete protein, containing nine essential amino acids that the human body needs to survive. For example, proteins are required in the body to help build and repair damaged or worn down tissues and muscles. This includes the connective tissues and our mouths, such as the tongue, the jaw muscles, and gums.
6 Foods to Avoid to Protect Your Gums
- White Bread. The starches in bread are easily broken down into sugar, making it bad for your teeth. ...
- Citrus Fruits. ...
- Sports Drinks. ...
- Soda. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Sticky/Chewy Candies.
Sugars that linger in your mouth, potentially coating your teeth, are worse than those you swallow quickly – so avoid those lollipops and cough sweets when possible. Acidic food – acidic foods can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead to cavities, they can also create an environment in which harmful bacteria thrive.
Is cheese bad for periodontal disease? ›
Eating cheese increases saliva production in the mouth. The saliva clears food debris, bacteria, acids, and sugars that form plaque. As a result, your mouth is protected from tooth cavities, gum disease, or halitosis. Cheese contains calcium and phosphorus, which are good for your jawbone and teeth.
What toothpaste is good for receding gums? ›
You may be wondering: what is the best toothpaste for receding gums? If you have sensitive teeth, consider using the daily dual action Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum toothpaste, which builds a protective layer over sensitive areas while removing plaque and bacteria to support gum health.
Does salt water help receding gums? ›
Benefits of Using Salt Water for Receding Gums
Salt water acts as a natural disinfectant, helping to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. Rinsing with salt water can inhibit bacterial growth and promote a healthier oral environment, potentially preventing further gum recession.
How to brush receding gums? ›
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle along the line of the gums. Don't hold the brush flat against your teeth. This lets the brush skim the surface without getting into the crevices where bacteria and plaque hide.
What causes gums to flare up? ›
Swollen gums are a common symptom of gum disease. But you can develop sore, inflamed gums for a number of reasons. Other culprits include infections, hormonal changes and vitamin deficiencies. Swollen gums can be a temporary or permanent condition.
Why are my gums receding so quickly? ›
There are a number of factors that can cause your gums to recede, including: Periodontal diseases. These are bacterial gum infections that destroy gum tissue and supporting bone that hold your teeth in place. Gum disease is the main cause of gum recession.
Do electric toothbrushes cause gum recession? ›
Electric toothbrushes are generally considered safer for gums. In addition, soft bristles are recommended over hard bristles, regardless of toothbrush type. As aggressive brushing can lead to gum recession, an electric toothbrush with better, soft bristles can be superior for gum health.
Does caffeine cause gum recession? ›
“We can't say drinking coffee causes gum disease, but evidence shows it's possible that coffee consumption may negatively affect our gum health,” Seymour says. In general, there are bigger risk factors to worry about when it comes to gum disease (also known as periodontal disease).
