Did you know that gingivitis is a problem faced by about 90% of people? Gum health is a key aspect of oral health, but it is often neglected until problems such as bleeding gums or periodontitis occur.
Did you know that gingivitis is a problem faced by about 90% of people? Gum health is a key aspect of oral health, but it is often neglected until problems such as bleeding gums or periodontitis occur. Healthy gums are firm, pink and firmly attached to the teeth, helping to prevent bacterial infections and gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gum health is affected by many factors, including genetic predisposition, age, smoking and more. Additionally, gum health can be improved with proper diet and intake of key gum vitamins. In the rest of this article, learn more about gum health and disease, as well as how vitamins can affect gum health!
Diseases of the gums have been recognized and treated for more than 5,000 years. Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, affects about 90% of the population. This term describes inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of bacteria and food debris between the gum line and the teeth, which is called dental plaque. Gingivitis is characterized by swelling, redness and bleeding of the gums. Gingivitis can be treated with good oral hygiene, proper nutrition and supplementation that supports gum health, and by stopping smoking (if smoking is the cause of gingivitis). On the other hand, periodontitis is a condition when periodontal disease progresses beyond gingivitis into a chronic, destructive, irreversible inflammatory disease. Bacteria can then penetrate deeper into the gums. The organism then initiates a defense response to protect itself from the invading bacteria. However, during this defense process, damage to the gums also occurs. Periodontitis leads to reduced adhesion of the gums and teeth, which can eventually result in the loss of the affected tooth. In order to prevent the occurrence of these diseases, it is important to maintain the hygiene of the gums and the entire oral cavity and to use different methods to improve oral health.
Maintaining oral hygiene at home involves the daily use of a toothbrush and dental floss, and in certain cases, antibacterial mouthwash. The toothbrush must be soft, and the brushing movements should be circular and under light pressure so as not to damage the gums. The spaces between the teeth should be cleaned with dental floss, interdental brushes or a water shower. In addition, mouthwashes help to clean the teeth, but they should not be used too often in order not to disturb the oral flora, that is, not to remove good bacteria from the mouth. Improper oral hygiene techniques can lead to the accumulation of bacteria and plaque on the teeth, which triggers gingivitis and potentially progresses to periodontitis.
The prevalence of periodontal diseases increases with age. It is not clear whether aging alone is the cause of increased susceptibility to periodontal disease or whether the cumulative effects of disease over a lifetime explain the increased prevalence of disease in older people.
Tobacco smoking increases the risk of periodontal diseases by 5 to 20 times. In addition to increasing the symptoms and severity of periodontal disease, smoking reduces the effectiveness of periodontal disease treatment.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease. High blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections, including gum infections. In addition, diabetes can lead to reduced blood flow to the gums, which slows healing and increases the risk of inflammation.
Diet plays an important role in gum health. A balanced diet can help maintain healthy gums and prevent periodontal disease. Excessive sugar intake affects the formation of caries and plaque formation, which contribute to the development of gum disease. On the other hand, polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids) and a high intake of antioxidants can have a positive effect on gum health. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc are extremely important for strengthening teeth and gums, and certain vitamins such as vitamins A, C, D, K and certain vitamins of the B group are also extremely important.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role in maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissue, which includes the gums.
In addition, vitamin A has antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, a factor that contributes to inflammatory processes in the gums.
Low intake of vitamin A is associated with reduced development of oral epithelial tissue, damage during tooth formation, enamel hypoplasia and the presence of periodontitis.
One of the main roles of vitamin C is to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which is the main component of the connective tissue of the gums. Severe vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, a disease characterized by connective tissue defects. Periodontal signs of scurvy are bleeding, inflamed and painful gums. The good news is that vitamin C supplementation treats and prevents scurvy. It has been shown that plasma vitamin C levels are lower in people with gingivitis and periodontitis than in healthy people. In periodontitis, a reduced ability to absorb vitamin C may play a role in this. For this reason, vitamin C supplementation can be beneficial in people who have gingivitis and periodontitis. Study: The influence of guava or vitamin C consumption on the development of gingivitis A study from 2018 showed how the consumption of 200 g of guava per day or 200 mg of vitamin C per day has a preventive effect on the development of experimental gingivitis (gingivitis in the study was caused by intentional poor oral hygiene).
Did you know? 300 years ago, any man joining the crew of an ocean liner would know that he only had a 50% chance of returning alive. Not only because of the many dangers during the journey, but because scurvy could develop. In 1747, the Scottish doctor James Lind conducted one of the first clinical experiments in the history of medicine. In his experiment, Lind divided 12 sailors with scurvy into six groups and gave each group different nutritional supplements. Sailors who consumed citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons (which have significant amounts of vitamin C), showed significant improvement, proving to Lind the importance of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of scurvy - even though vitamin C had not yet been "discovered" at the time. His research led to the introduction of citrus into the diet of sailors, which greatly reduced the incidence of this disease.
Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system. It increases the production of antimicrobial peptides in the oral cavity, which help fight bacteria that cause gum disease and periodontitis. In addition, vitamin D affects the reduction of gum inflammation.
Clinical studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency leads to inflammation of the gums and poor healing of the gums after periodontal surgery.
Vitamin K is an important blood clotting factor and can help maintain healthy gums by reducing the risk of bleeding gums and improving the overall function of the oral mucosa. Study: Impact of Vitamin K2 Levels and Periodontitis A 2023 study found that patients with periodontitis had lower levels of vitamin K2 in their serum, regardless of their gender and age. In addition, low levels of vitamin K2 are associated with bleeding gums, receding gums and tooth bone loss.
Vitamins of the B group consist of 8 different vitamins, which are essential for cellular metabolism, renewal and cell division. Lack of B vitamins can cause a number of symptoms and diseases, and in the context of gum health, the most important are folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12.
Lack of B vitamins can cause a number of symptoms and diseases, and in the context of gum health, the most important are folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12.
The exact way in which these vitamins affect the health of the gums is not known, but clinical research has linked their deficiency to gum disease.
Study from 2016. observed that a lower level of vitamin B12 in the serum is associated with receding gums and the risk of tooth loss caused by gum disease.
Furthermore, another study showed that smokers have lower levels of folic acid, which can lead to the development of periodontitis.
All in all, it can be concluded that vitamins support gum health and help prevent disease. For healthy gums and a beautiful smile, it is important to provide enough vitamins essential for gum health through proper nutrition and targeted supplementation.
Master of Nutrition from Zagreb, graduated from the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology in Zagreb. In her work, her aim is to bring the idea of flexible, yet healthy and proper nutrition closer to people and to engage in scientific and research work. She has developed a particular interest in dietary supplements as extensions to proper nutrition and their additional contribution to health. Besides proper nutrition, Amanda also enjoys other aspects of a healthy lifestyle, particularly recreational volleyball and running!
Author's ArticlesAmaliya, A., Risdiana, A.S., Van der Velden, U. (2018). Effect of guava and vitamin C supplementation on experimental gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of clinical periodontology. 45(8). 959–967. Erdemir, E.O., Bergstrom, J. (2007). Effect of smoking on folic acid and vitamin B12 after nonsurgical periodontal intervention. Journal of clinical periodontology. 34(12). 1074–1081. Gasner, N.S., Schure, R.S. (2023). Periodontal Disease. U: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure island, Florida Gutierrez Gossweiler, A., Martinez-Mier, E.A. (2020). Chapter 6: Vitamins and Oral Health. Monographs in oral science. 28. 59–67. Kinane D.F. (2001). Causation and pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Periodontology 2000. 25. 8–20. Najeeb, S., Zafar, M.S., Khurshid, Z., Zohaib, S., Almas, K. (2016). The Role of Nutrition in Periodontal Health: An Update. Nutrients. 8(9). 530. Olszewska-Czyz, I., Firkova, E. (2023). A Case Control Study Evaluating the Relationship between Vitamin K2 Serum Level and Periodontitis. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 11(22). 2937. Van der Velden U. (2020). Vitamin C and Its Role in Periodontal Diseases – The Past and the Present: A Narrative Review. Oral health & preventive dentistry. 18(2). 115–124. Zong, G., Holtfreter, B., Scott, A.E., Völzke, H., Petersmann, A., Dietrich, T., Newson, R.S., Kocher, T. (2016).
Serum vitamin B12 is inversely associated with periodontal progression and risk of tooth loss: a prospective cohort study. Journal of clinical periodontology. 43(1). 2–9.
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