Four Foods That Prevent Gum Disease in Seniors
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and now is a great time for seniors to focus on preventing gum disease. Gum disease is a serious problem for seniors, and most seniors battle gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and other problems, like mouth infections.
Seniors who have trouble using a toothbrush because of poor grip strength, tremors, or arthritis can get help with dental hygiene from personal care at home. With personal care at home, seniors can bathe, wash up, and brush their teeth more easily, so they can stay healthy.
Brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is something that all seniors need to do to maintain good dental hygiene. But what seniors are eating can also help with their dental hygiene. Seniors should avoid sugary foods and drinks to help lower their risk of gum disease. But seniors should be eating these four foods that will help prevent gum disease:
Citrus Fruits
Oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and other citrus fruits are nutritional powerhouses. They are packed with vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals that can help prevent gum disease. Fresh citrus juice is delicious and can be added to many things, so seniors can get that extra boost of gum disease fighting power.
Just make sure your senior loved one isn’t taking a medication that reacts with grapefruit juice before your senior loved one starts eating grapefruit. Many medications can interact badly with grapefruit or lose effectiveness when taken with grapefruit. Check with the doctor or pharmacist before your senior parent starts eating grapefruit to prevent gum disease.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish is a fantastic source of Omega 3 fatty acids, and Omega 3 fatty acids are great for preventing inflammation. Since inflammation in the mouth is a contributing factor to dental disease, like gum disease, controlling inflammation will ultimately help prevent gum disease. Fatty fish is something seniors should be eating anyway as part of a healthy diet.
Dairy Foods
Yogurt, milk, and cheese contain calcium, vitamins, and minerals that can help keep teeth and bones strong. But they also contain anti-bacterial agents. Those anti-bacterial agents can help prevent infections by killing bacteria in the mouth caused by tooth decay or dental caries. Seniors should try to eat some yogurt, cottage cheese, or cheese each day or drink a glass of milk.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory substances on the planet. It’s delicious when used as seasoning on food, but some seniors may not enjoy the taste. There are turmeric supplements seniors can take to help stop inflammation, which will prevent gum disease. Seniors can also enjoy some turmeric mixed into some hot milk with honey and cinnamon. This treat can be taken at night before bed. It’s a soothing anti-inflammatory drink called golden milk. Many people around the world enjoy golden milk at night to help them sleep. It may help your senior loved one sleep, as well as prevent gum disease.