When it comes to maintaining your dental health, it’s easier to get caught up on your teeth while neglecting the health of your gums, palate, and tongue. It is true that taking good care of your teeth will generally have a positive effect on these other aspects of oral health, but they have specific sensitivities that you need to be aware of. Your gums, in particular, are very important. And there are plenty of foods that are bad for your gums.

Healthy gums fit tightly around your teeth. This fit allows your gums to support the bony structure of your teeth and jaw, effectively holding your teeth in place and making it possible for you to chew and talk normally. At the same time, they essentially seal off the more sensitive parts of the tooth, including the root, preventing bacteria from taking over and undermining the core components of the tooth. Therefore, it’s really important that we work to follow an expert recommended dental hygiene routine and avoid eating too many foods that are likely to cause irritation. You periodontist Los Angeles can give you more information.

Foods Bad for Your Gums: Foods to Watch Out For

Here are a few foods that are bad for your gums. If your gums are in bad shape, come receive the best periodontal disease treatment Los Angeles has around.

Bread

There are plenty of full-grain bread options that provide substantial nutrition and fiber. As soft and yummy as white bread can be, it just doesn’t pack much of a punch when it comes to your health. In fact, it can be really bad for your teeth. White bread, in particular, has a lot of added sugars that give it flavor. 

As you chew on your sandwich or toast, your saliva begins to break these components down into a paste. Your mouth eventually turns each bite into an easily swallowed ball of food, but bits of that paste get left behind in between your teeth and near your gums. 

Chips

These crunchy snacks have some of the same issues as other carbohydrates, like bread. The starches in the food break down into sugar, leaving you with sugars deposited along your gumline and in between your teeth. Given the fact that we tend to eat chips over a prolonged period of time, bacteria have plenty of time to munch on the deposited sugars and produce the acids that irritate your gums and initiate tooth decay. 

Citrus

Citrus fruit is an excellent addition to your diet, especially if you don’t eat a lot of green vegetables that also provide Vitamin C. However, you have to be careful. These fruits are highly acidic and contain a lot of natural sugars. For your gums, this is doubly risky. While your teeth and gums are dealing with all the same issues that sugar normally brings, the acids are also temporarily weakening your enamel. Fortunately, a glass of milk after a delicious orange or grapefruit can help to neutralize the acid, reducing the harm to your teeth. 

Tomatoes

As with citrus, tomatoes are acidic, but they have a lot of health benefits. To protect your gums and teeth after consuming any acidic food or beverage, avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes after consumption. If your enamel weakens, the last thing you want to introduce is an abrasive toothbrush. In the meantime, enjoy food or drink with a more basic pH level. Dairy products usually prove a safe bet, so fix yourself a Caprese salad and enjoy. 

Think Moderation

Don’t worry. You don’t have to cut any of these foods completely out of your diet to have healthy gums. Just be aware of what you are putting into your body and the actions you need to take to protect your health. After consuming foods that are high in starch or sugar, it is best to floss and brush your teeth right away. When it comes to foods that are acidic, eat or drink something to neutralize the acid, wait thirty minutes, and then brush your teeth. 

If you are concerned that your teeth and gums may have already been damaged, it may be time to arrange an appointment at your local periodontist’s office. At LA Wilshire Periodontics, their expert doctors and staff will evaluate your teeth and gums for decay to establish the severity of your gum disease. From there, you can work together to create a treatment plan that is right for you.