Gum disease, or periodontal disease, may undermine the framework of your beautiful smile by infecting your gums and jawbone. Periodontal disease is caused by a film of bacteria, plaque, that develops on your teeth. This plaque buildup may cause infection leading to bleeding gums and possible loss of teeth. Vitamins and minerals may help, but consult your doctor or dentist first.
Vitamin C
Gum disease may lead to cardiovascular disease and may affect the birth weight of your baby. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamin C is documented as reducing your risk for gum disease. A sample of over 12,000 people from the age of 20 to over 90 showed a relationship between periodontal disease and inadequate vitamin C intake, according to a 2000 study published in the "Journal of Periodontology." The study also noted that those who smoked were at higher risk of periodontal disease than those who didn't. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C for adults is 90 mg per day. The RDA for smokers is 125 mg per day.
Vitamin E
Gum disease leads to detachment of the gum tissues from the teeth, which may cause your teeth to fall out. In 2004, a group of 75 smokers with periodontal disease were given supplemental vitamins E and C, as well as grape seed extract by researchers at the Department of Oral Biology at the University of Buffalo. The group was followed for six months to observe the effect of these antioxidants on the healing of the gums. The study noted that while the grapeseed extract helped decrease plaque buildup, vitamin E and C increased the healing process by close to 20 percent more than in the control group, showing reattachment of the teeth to the gums. The group receiving the vitamin E supplements were given 43 to 86 IU per day. Findings were presented at the International Association for Dental Research meeting.
Calcium
Your bones and teeth contain 99 percent of the calcium in your body. Calcium is necessary to maintain the integrity and density of your teeth and jaw bone. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that less than half of Americans get enough calcium in their diet. Calcium may also help with gum disease. The RDA for adults for calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day. Foods rich in calcium include milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese and tofu.
CO Q10
Coenzyme Q10 may be another option for helping gum disease, according to UMMC. Coenzyme Q10 improves the immune system, increases energy and is an antioxidant. Thirty patients suffering from gum disease were given supplements of coenzyme Q10 with vitamin E in a 2007 study reported in the journal "Pharmacological Reports." After six months, a 20 percent improvement was seen, leading to the conclusion that coenzyme Q10 may increase healing of gum tissue in conjunction with vitamin E.
References
- University of Iowa college of Dentistry: Gum (Periodontal) Disease
- "Journal of Periodontology"; Dietary Vitamin C and the Risk for Periodontal Disease; Mieko Nishida, et al.; Aug.2000
- University of Buffalo: News Center: Supplement Containing Vitamins C, E and Grape Seed Extract Improves Smokers' Response to Gum Disease Treatment
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs and Supplements for gum disease
- "Pharmacological Reports"; Healing of periodontal tissue assisted by Coenzyme Q10 with Vitamin E -- clinical and laboratory evaluation; Teresa Matthews-Brzozowska, et al.; 2007
