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An infection of the gums that spreads to the teeth and jawbone is called periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause your teeth to slowly loosen or fall out. This infection is usually caused by inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) that is not treated properly. In addition, being lazy to brush your teeth can also be a factor that causes plaque and bacteria to develop in the mouth, causing infection. However, a deficiency in certain vitamins in the body can also be a cause of infection of the gums.
Then, what vitamins must be consumed and at the same time can overcome gum infections?
Vitamins that the body needs to deal with gum infections
1. Vitamin C
Swollen gums that are inflamed, bleeding, or painful can be a sign that your body is deficient in vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is rare, but it affects many smokers.
Vitamin C plays an especially important role in the production of collagen, a special protein that helps make up gum tissue. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that can help prevent damage caused by free radicals.
High sources of vitamin C can be obtained from fruits, such as oranges, watermelons, pineapples, melons, kiwi, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cranberries. Vitamin C is also found in vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, turnips and other green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach. Don't overcook the vegetables, as hot temperatures can destroy their vitamin C content.
2. Vitamin B
Vitamin B complex is one of the important vitamins that are important for oral and dental health, because this vitamin helps cell growth and blood circulation throughout the body - including the gums.
A study found that deficiencies of vitamins B-12 and B9 were associated with a risk of bleeding gums. Vitamin B9 deficiency can increase your risk of developing periodontitis. Vitamin B deficiency, especially vitamin B9, is quite common in people who smoke.
You can find B vitamins in foods from animal meat such as fish, chicken, beef, eggs, milk and derivative products (cheese, yogurt, butter), to nuts. Vegetables such as broccoli or spinach are also a high-vitamin B food sumper.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial cells that make up gum tissue. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant that can treat gum infections from within. Increasing consumption of foods containing vitamin A can reduce the severity of periodontitis in nonsmokers. Unfortunately this effect is not seen in smokers.
Food sources that contain vitamin A include eggs, carrots, liver, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and green leafy plants.
