Periodontal or gum disease is a common oral concern among millions. Fortunately, you can treat periodontal disease and reverse it when caught early. Many factors can affect your treatment and recovery when dealing with periodontal treatment.
Diet is one of the critical factors to keep in mind, especially what you should avoid. Read on to learn more about periodontal disease and foods you should avoid during your treatment.
What is Gum or Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gum tissues. It mainly develops due to bacterial plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth. These deposits irritate and infect the gum tissues, causing inflammation and discomfort.
Over time, plaque and tartar can get below the gum line, causing gums to pull away from the teeth (recession), jawbone damage, tooth loss, and more. Routine dental cleanings can help remove bacterial plaque and tartar before they cause gum disease.
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You should seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you might have gum disease. Signs to watch out for include:
- Sore, red, or sensitive gums
- Gum or facial swelling
- Bleeding gums when brushing or eating
- Painful chewing
- Loose or falling teeth
- Bad breath
- Sensitive or painful teeth
- Receding gums
- Teeth looking longer
Our North Brunswick dentist will examine your mouth to determine the damage and then create a personalized gum disease treatment to restore the health of your gums and mouth.
Based on your condition, the dentist can recommend a variety of treatment options, including:
- Excellent brushing and flossing
- Medications
- Routine dental check-ups and cleanings
- Root planing and scaling (deep cleaning)
- Surgical dentistry. These can include laser gum surgery, flap surgery, and bone grafts.
Proper Diet After Gum Treatment
After gum disease treatment, excellent oral habits are essential to prevent new infections or aggravate your symptoms. For instance, if you have invasive treatments like deep cleaning or gum surgery, your gums might feel sore or swollen. That said, what you eat after treatment matters a lot.
In the first week after treatment, it’s essential to eat a soft diet, including:
- Scrambled eggs. They are not only nutritious but are also easy to chew.
- Dairy products like yogurt, milk, ice cream, and butter. These items are easy to consume and excellent sources of essential minerals and vitamins that are good for your gums and teeth.
- Mashed potatoes are rich in nutrients and fill you quickly. They are also soft and easy to eat.
- Mashed bananas have a soft texture, making them easy to eat and swallow. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, which promote faster recovery.
- Avocados are easy to eat and low in carbs. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which help you recover faster.
- Oatmeal is easy to eat, an excellent source of fiber, and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, which are vital for quick recovery.
- Salmon is soft to chew and rich in proteins and healthy fats, which aid in wound healing and reduce inflammation. Fish is an excellent diet option after gum treatment.
Foods to Avoid After Gum Treatment
Several foods can damage your gums and affect your recovery in various ways. Foods to avoid after periodontal treatment include:
- Spicy foods and soups. These foodsmay cause increased irritation and pain. Gum disease causes your gums to be more sensitive. Your gums will be more sensitive or sore after treatment.
- Hard, crunchy, and crumbly foods like chips, cookies, nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, and hard candy can cause abrasions around the treated gums or get lodged in the wound area, disrupting your healing.
- Sticky and chewy foods like peanut butter and candy can stick to the teeth and gums, increasing the risk of plaque development and new infections. Excess chewing can also disturb the gums, aggravating pain and sensitivity.
- Sugary foods and drinks like soda and cookies will encourage bacteria growth in the mouth. Bacteria thrive in sugary environments. Eating sugary items after periodontal treatment can cause new infections or effects the efficiency of your treatment.
- Acidic items like soda and apple cider vinegar can irritate the treated gums, leading to increased pain and swelling.
- Tobacco and alcohol can irritate the treated gums and delay wound healing, increasing your risk of new infections.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you interested in gum disease treatment? Contact KK Dental – North Brunswickfor more information.