"gum disease" news and stories

Red wine still isn't the best drink for teeth because, like coffee, it can stain the enamel. But new studies show that it may help fight and prevent gum disease, periodontitis. Canadian scientists say that the antioxidant properties of polyphenols in red wine can fight the free radicals released by the bacteria that cause gum disease. This will reduce inflammation and decrease the severity of the disease, though there has not been a conclusive link shown between wine drinkers and a reduced risk of periodontitis yet. For non-drinkers, these same polyphenols have been found in cranberry juice, as well as red wine.

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Eating two grapefruits a day seems to help heal bleeding gums, according to the results of recent study from a German university. The high levels of Vitamin C apparently helped promote wound healing and reduced damage by free radicals, according to a recent article in The Times of India. Of the nearly 60 participants in the study from Friedrich Schiller University, smokers in the group generally had 29 percent lower levels of Vitamin C than non-smokers. It's unclear why levels of the vitamin were lower in smokers.

I'm not sure why researchers focused on grapefruits in particular. I guess if you take anything away from this news, it's that Vitamin C may help your gums. If 14 grapefruits a week is too much for you though, just floss.

[Photo: Nick Vagnoni]