(NaturalHealth365)  Naturally, everybody wants healthy teeth and gums – especially when you consider the connection between poor oral health and chronic disease. Unfortunately, in order to avoid tooth loss, it would appear that too many people remain uneducated about how to improve gum health – the key to maintaining strong teeth.

So, how do we avoid gum disease?  The following tips will help you lower your risk or prevent it from progressing – if you already have gingivitis, or early gum disease.

4 ways to avoid gum disease naturally

1. Consume calcium-rich foods:   Please note: We do not recommend the consumption of calcium supplements that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Having said that, calcium is an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and it also supports healthy gums.  Simply put, you’re at higher risk for periodontal disease if you don’t get enough calcium.

The average American gets less than the daily value of 1,000 milligrams of calcium, but supplementing with too much calcium can lead to heart attacks and other health problems. Instead, focus on healthy sources such as organic dark, leafy green vegetables, sesame seeds, wild-caught salmon, and other plant sources like organic broccoli and chia seeds.

2. Avoid plaque with xylitol: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol in some fruits, such as berries and plums. Because it tastes sweet, has fewer calories than sugar, and does not spike your blood sugar levels the way sugar does, the food industry uses it as a sugar substitute in some sugar-free gums and candies.

Using a xylitol-containing (or herbal) toothpaste can reduce plaque formation and neutralize some bacteria in your saliva that produce acid and contribute to tooth decay. When brushing, you may also like to use essential oils like, clove, neem and peppermint.

3. Reduce inflammation: Your gums are inflamed if you have gingivitis and periodontitis – which is more advanced gum disease.  Bottom line: bleeding gums is not a good sign.  Be sure to increase your anti-inflammatory activities like, salt water rinsing or oil pulling to reduce the risk of swelling, redness and infections.

In addition, supplementation with fish oil and borage oil provide essential fatty acids, and can reduce gum inflammation.  Plus, to help reduce inflammation, you may want to consider:

• Vitamin D supplementation to optimize your blood levels
• Topical folic acid
• Probiotics – which you can get from miso, tempeh, kombucha or supplements
• Pomegranate

4. Eat lots of antioxidants: Antioxidants protect cells against damage from chemicals called free radicals. There are a variety of antioxidants which slow down the progression of periodontal disease or reduce symptoms, including:

• Vitamin C – which you can get from citrus fruits and vegetables or in a high-quality nutritional supplement.
• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG) – which are in green tea extract.
• Vitamin E – which can be found in organic nuts and seeds.
• Coenzyme Q10 – which is abundant in wild-caught fish and grass-fed meats.

Naturally, there are many other ways to promote healthy teeth and gums.  In fact, one of the best ways to prevent gum disease is by using a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator.

This daily practice will help to clear away sticky substances that attract unwanted bacteria and virtually eliminate bleeding gums.  Another benefit – in many cases – is the reversal of large size gum pockets, which you want to avoid.

Of course, another wise decision, would be to get regular checkups (and cleanings) at a trusted, holistically-minded dentist and, always remember, to brush away from the gum line – for best results.

Click here to get access to the Holistic Oral Health Summit, hosted by Jonathan Landsman and discover the best ways to save your teeth and avoid serious health issues.

Sources for this article include:

Mouthhealthy.org
Mayoclinic.org