VITAMIN C is good for your gums.
It may heal bleeding gums, according to a study led by the University of Washington.
The study, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, analyzed published studies of 15 clinical trials in six countries that involved 1,140 predominantly healthy participants.
It reviewed data from 8,210 United States (US) residents surveyed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
“When you see your gums bleed, the first thing you should think about is not, I should brush more,” said Dr. Philippe Hujoel, a Professor of Oral Health Sciences in the University of Washington School of Dentistry and the study’s lead author.
“You should try to figure out why your gums are bleeding,” said Dr. Hujoel, a dentist. “And vitamin C deficiency is one possible reason.”
The study recommends that if the gums bleed, brushing and flossing twice a day are essential because bleeding could be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.
At the same time, check whether your Vitamin C intake has been adequate, the study observes.
According to the US National Institutes of Health, Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen. Collagen is an essential component of connective tissue, which plays a vital role in wound healing.
Ongoing research examines whether vitamin C – by limiting the damaging effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity – might help prevent or delay the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases in which stress plays a causal role.
In addition to its biosynthetic and antioxidant functions, vitamin C plays a crucial role in immune function and improves the absorption of nonheme iron, the form of iron present in plant-based foods.
Insufficient vitamin C intake causes scurvy, which is characterized by fatigue, malaise, and inflammation of the gums.
Additional signs of scurvy include depression as well as swollen, bleeding gums, and loosening or loss of teeth.
Iron deficiency anemia can also occur due to increased bleeding and decreased nonheme iron absorption secondary to low vitamin C intake.
According to an Abstract cited in the National Library of Medicine, “Vitamin C’s role in maintaining the health of teeth and gingivae remains unchallenged.”
Clinical evidence indicates that vitamin C functions in improving host defense mechanisms and is thereby implicated in preserving gum health, it said.
“Common sense tells us that the monitoring of the vitamin C status of individuals, especially those at high risk (e.g., diabetics, smokers, elderly, etc.) for inadequate intakes, will yield positive results for periodontal health,” it added./PN
