Having gums that bleed occasionally happens to all of us. Having gums that bleed regularly is something to be concerned about. Traditional treatment for bleeding gums usually includes routinely flossing and brushing. If you are already doing these things, a new study by Nutrition Reviews, suggests that you might be deficient in vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid.
For this study, the researchers analyzed the results of 15 clinical trials from six countries that included more than 1,100 participants, and data from more than 8,200 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Bleeding of the gums with gentle probing was found to be associated with subjects who were low in vitamin C. Boosting the daily intake of vitamin C helped reverse those issues.
It’s important to note that the findings in this study do show that vitamin C recommendations are designed primarily to protect against scurvy – a deadly disease that is caused by extremely low vitamin C levels. This often leads to gum bleeding.
How To Incorporate More Vitamin C Into Your Day
We should be achieving 500 daily milligrams of vitamin C daily. If you are looking to add more into your lifestyle, here are some ideas:
- Eat your fruit and vegetables. Foods such as chili peppers, guavas, sweet yellow peppers, thyme, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, lemons, strawberries, and oranges, have a large amount of vitamin C. Try incorporating some of these into your everyday diet.
- You can take a supplement to help reach 500mg of vitamin C a day. There are plenty of different supplements you can take including a pill, gummies, and liquids.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Aside from having healthy gums, there are a lot of benefits to having a sufficient amount of vitamin C:
- It is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues.
- It helps bodily functions, such as the formation of collagen, absorption of iron, and the proper functioning of the immune system.
- It may help with managing high blood pressure and can lower the risk of heart disease.
- It protects your memory and thinking as you age.
Consult a Professional
If you notice your gums are regularly bleeding even though you have great at-home oral care, consider visiting your local dentist. Here at My Dentist we are accepting new patients and are happy to answer any questions and help get to the root cause of your gum issue. Contact us today to make an appointment.