The Real Reason Gums Deteriorate in Your 50s: Dentist-Selected Foods That Are Good for Your Gums vs. Foods to Avoid

The Real Reason Gums Deteriorate in Your 50s?

Selected by a Dentist

Foods That Are Good for Your Gums vs. Foods to Avoid

Hello.

I’m Kim Tae-hyung,

Director of Banpo Blanche Dental Clinic. ^^

Today, I’d like to bring up

one question I often hear

in the treatment room.

When you’re told that your gums aren’t healthy,

don’t you start by searching online? ㅎㅎ

But when you actually search,

you find endless lists of foods

that are supposed to be good for your gums. ^^;

The problem is that even after

eating these supposedly beneficial foods

for several months,

some people see little change

in their gum condition.

Why is that?

Because the areas that food can help with

and the areas that require dental treatment

are clearly different. ^^

So from here on,

I’ll explain which foods

are worth including

and which foods are better to reduce.

1. Are Foods That Are Good for Your Gums

Enough on Their Own?

Broadly speaking, gum problems

involve two aspects that should be considered together.

One is the problem of plaque and tartar

that have built up on the teeth,

irritating the gums and causing inflammation.

The other is how healthy the gum tissue is

and how well it can withstand and recover

from this kind of irritation.

Food can mainly help with the second aspect.

Nutrients such as vitamins, protein, and omega-3s

may help provide the nourishment needed

to maintain gum tissue. ^^

However, tartar that is already firmly attached

cannot be removed by food alone.

If tartar has built up,

a process that removes it directly,

such as scaling, is needed first.

Therefore, no matter how many foods

that are said to be good for your gums

you make sure to eat,

if the tartar and inflammation remain,

your condition may not improve as much as expected.

That does not mean food is unimportant. ^^;

2. Among Foods That Are Good for Your Gums,

Which Have Relatively Clear Evidence?

First are foods rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a nutrient

needed to produce collagen,

which makes up gum tissue.

It has also long been observed

that vitamin C deficiency can make

the gums bleed easily.

Research on oily fish rich in omega-3s

such as salmon and mackerel

has also continued to examine their role

in regulating inflammatory responses. ^^

Components involved in cell recovery,

such as coenzyme Q10 in salmon and tuna,

are also mentioned in a similar context.

However, there is one distinction

you should keep in mind here.

These foods supplement the nutrients

needed to help maintain healthy gums;

they are not treatments that directly remove

already-formed tartar or gum inflammation.

Once you understand this difference,

you can view foods known to be

“good for your gums” more realistically. ^^

3. Among Foods That Are Good for Your Gums,

Which Claims Are Closer to Rumor?

Green tea is a typical example.

It is widely said to be good

for gum inflammation.

However, the effect confirmed in research

was observed when a high-concentration catechin gel

was applied directly to the gums.

That is entirely different from

drinking one or two cups of green tea a day. ㅎㅎ

What’s more, green tea and red wine

can stain the teeth yellow.

So it is a good idea to brush lightly

after consuming them.

I also very often hear the claim that

chewing hard foods strengthens the gums. ㅎㅎ

But gums are not muscles

and cannot be trained through chewing force.

In fact, after your 50s,

the enamel becomes thinner,

making the teeth more prone to cracks.

Foods containing vitamin B12,

such as dried seaweed,

should be viewed similarly.

They may help supplement nutrients

that you do not get enough of normally,

but they do not replace gum treatment.

Therefore, even with foods said to be

“good for your gums,”

it is best to consider who they help

and in what circumstances. ^^

4. Problems That Are Difficult to Reverse

Even with Foods That Are Good for Your Gums

Even if you consistently eat foods

that are good for your gums,

this cannot reverse gum damage

that has already progressed.

Once the jawbone has receded

or the gumline has moved downward,

it is difficult to return it to its original state

with food alone.

Also, when gum disease progresses

and the space between the teeth and gums deepens,

there may be areas that are difficult

to clean thoroughly with only a toothbrush or floss. ^^;

Rather than trying to resolve these issues with food,

it is important to have your condition checked directly

at a dental clinic and receive any necessary treatment.

If your gums often bleed when you brush

or gum recession makes your teeth look longer,

before eating more foods that are considered beneficial,

it is a good idea to have your current gum condition

checked first.

X-rays and a gum examination can determine

how much of the jawbone remains

and how far periodontal disease has progressed.

In Closing

Foods that are good for your gums

are more likely to help maintain

your current gum health

than to reverse problems that have already developed.

Simply knowing this difference

makes it much easier to decide

what you should prioritize. ^^

If you are thinking about changing your diet,

rather than looking only for foods that are said to be beneficial,

it is a good idea to first check

the current condition of your gums.

If anything in today’s post concerns you,

please leave a comment.

I’ll answer you personally. ^^

This was Banpo Blanche Dental Clinic.

Thank you.

[Frequently Asked Questions]​

Q. Is it enough to make sure

I eat plenty of foods that are good for my gums?

A. They can help, but tartar

needs to be removed separately.

Q. If I drink green tea often,

will my gum inflammation improve?​

A. The amount you drink is not enough,

and it may also cause staining.

Q. Which foods that are good for my gums

should I start with?

A. Try getting vitamin C first

from vegetables and fruit.

Q. Does chewing hard foods

strengthen the gums?

A. Gums are not muscles,

so it may actually damage your teeth.

Q. Can I hold out a little longer

by eating foods that are good for my gums?

A. If you continue to see blood,

we recommend getting an examination first.