Lower Your Risk of Periodontal Disease with Dietary Changes

Whole Grains for Heart Health and Gum Health

Looking for a healthy dietary change that can also improve your gum health? Researchers say look no further than whole grains.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers announced that, because diabetes and hyperglycemia increase the risk of periodontal inflammation, increasing your daily intake of whole grains and fiber can help offset the risk of developing periodontal disease.

Study participants who replaced their intake of processed grains, like white bread and regular pasta, with whole grains, like whole-grain bread and whole wheat pasta, had a 23% reduction in the incidence of periodontal disease, compared to those who continued to eat processed grains.

Those with the greatest risk reduction ate four servings of whole grains on average by simply replacing servings of processed grains with whole grains. They did not increase their caloric intake when making the switch to whole grains.

How Do Whole Grains Affect Gum Health?

Whole grains lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, a marker of inflammation associated with periodontal disease, along with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

To get more good grains in your diet, make all of your grains whole grains. Eat oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain cereals, whole-grain breads and whole-wheat crackers – all foods where the majority of the grain comes from whole grain.

Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, along with lean proteins like fish and poultry will also lower inflammation and decrease your risk of inflammation-related diseases.