Your Diet and the Periodontist Long Island
Monday, July 12th, 2010Gum disease is an infection that progresses silently inside your mouth from day to day. Though there are many early warning signs the best approach to this infection is prevention. Your dental practitioner has no doubt filled you in on proper brushing and flossing, but the Periodontist Long Island has a little something extra you can do to keep your gums healthy.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology your diet plays an important role in the prevention of gum disease. The study found that men and women with a calcium intake of fewer than 500 milligrams, or about half the recommended dietary allowance, were almost twice as likely to have periodontal diseases as measured by the loss of attachment of the gums from the teeth, especially for young adults in their 20s and 30s.
In addition to this study previous research has found vitamin C is another dietary need that plays a significant role in your oral care. Those studies showed that patients who consumed less than 60 milligrams of vitamin C each day were one and a half times more likely to develop severe gingivitis.
When you understand the role these two nutrients work in the body it’s no wonder they support healthy gums. Vitamin C boosts the body’s immune system in fighting off infection and calcium helps to build strong bones and repair soft tissue. When taken in accordance with the daily recommended dose and proper oral care you can dramatically reduce the risk of gum disease.
In addition to consuming healthy amounts of calcium and vitamin C diabetics are encouraged to limit sugar intake and drink plenty of water to help keep the mouth moist. To further protect yourself from gum disease monitor your mouth daily for early warning signs, this may include: bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, loose or missing teeth, persistent bad breath and sore gums.
If you notice signs of gum disease it’s important to seek treatment right away. If you’re looking for a Periodontist Long Island that offers an alternative to tradition surgery contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

