REDUCE GUM DISEASE WITH These Critical Nutrients

If your dentist or dental hygienist has told you that you have gum disease, or that you’re at risk for developing it, you’re not alone. Various studies estimate that more than 90 percent of the U.S. population suffers from chronic, ordinary gingivitis.

- JOY STEPHENSON-LAWS, JD

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is an early indicator of gum disease. It may be characterized by tender, red and swollen gums.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that half of Americans, age 30 or over, have some form of advanced gum disease, which translates to almost 65 million Americans. And the problem increases as we get older, with more than 70% of adults 65 years and older suffering from some form of disease that affects the area around the teeth – periodontal disease.

So how does gum disease develop?

Just like your intestines, your mouth is home to different types of bacteria. When all the types of bacteria are in balance, your gums are protected from disease-causing bacteria. However, disturbing the bacteria balance provides an opening for disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms to invade the gums. This increase in disease-causing bacteria generally causes your body’s immune system, and the white blood cells that get rid of them, to produce substances that not only destroy the bacteria but also damage your gum tissue. (A good technical description about the bacteria population in your mouth can be found in the British Dental Journal).

Activities like smoking, taking certain medications (like antibiotics), poor oral hygiene and poor diet may disturb the balance of bacteria in our mouths and enhance the activity of these disease-causing bacteria that may lead to gum disease.