Part of your oral hygiene routine throughout the day should include your gums. Your gums perform several important functions, such as to protect the roots of your teeth from tooth decay. And the healthier your gums are, the better they look. Food can also serve to keep your gums in good condition too.

To keep your gums healthy and to keep conditions like gum disease at bay, eat the following five foods as often as possible.

1. Stringy foods that are high in fiber

Fiber-rich foods like celery, spinach and beans are high in fiber. These foods require more chewing to break them down, which is great for your teeth and gums. The more you need to chew, the more saliva your mouth will produce. Saliva contains antibacterial enzymes that fight oral bacteria and prevent bacteria build up on your teeth. This helps keep your gums safe from gum disease.  

2. Fatty fish

Fatty fish like salmon and herring contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids provide protection for your gums against oral conditions like gum disease, because they are anti-inflammatory.

3. Probiotic-rich foods

Probiotic-rich foods are the go-to food for people suffering from stomach upsets because the good bacteria in these foods combat bad bacteria. But foods that are rich in probiotics also help to lower the number of harmful bacteria living in your mouth too. Since bad oral bacteria harm your gums, eat more fermented foods with probiotics, like kimchi, yoghurt, miso and pickles.  

4. Milk and cheese

Did you know that dairy foods coat the surface of your teeth with a protective layer that helps keep plaque at bay? This film contains antibacterial enzymes that stop bacteria colonizing the surface of your teeth. Plaque, which is where bacteria live, damages your gums over time, and can eventually lead to gum disease. So, keep plaque at bay by eating dairy foods like cheese and milk.

5. Fruits and vegetables

Vegetables contain all the vitamins you need to keep your immune system strong. A strong immune system can prevent gum disease by keeping bacteria at bay. Vegetables contain useful vitamins like vitamin c and b. And stringy or rough veggies and fruits like celery and apples will act as brushes to brush plaque off your teeth as you eat, further protecting your teeth and gums.

These foods can help to keep your gums in great shape. But do ensure that you brush your gums gently during oral hygiene sessions, to remove bacteria and plaque. If you suspect that you have gum disease or your gums have receded, see a dentist or periodontist right away to get the treatment you need.