We all know that good oral hygiene is crucial for healthy teeth and gums. With more and more scientific research in this direction, particular importance is given to dietary choices. It makes sense since your body needs essential minerals and vitamins in order to develop and maintain healthy teeth, gums, bones, and tissues. But there have been exciting findings – which states that there is a link between a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and your dental health.
Did you ever imagine that one of the most crucial factors to keep your teeth and gums healthy has nothing to do with your habits like brushing and flossing? The most critical factor is your diet. Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acid have promising effects on oral health.
Interestingly, Omega 3 fatty acids are ‘good’ fats that your body requires. Omega 3 fatty acids are best for preventing heart disease. But did you know that they can even prevent gum disease? To learn more about these fatty acids, read below.
What is Omega 3 Fatty Acid?
Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that our human body cannot synthesize on its own. Therefore, you need to acquire it through your food. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids, ALA, DHA, and EPA.
You can find ALA-type fatty acids in a variety of seeds and nuts. In contrast, EPA and DHA are majorly found in fish such as tuna, salmon, and anchovies. It is a reality that the human body cannot manufacture these fatty acids.
Hence the only option left is to source these from your diet or supplements. You can abundantly find these fatty acids in most vegetable oils, specifically olive oil and canola.
Omega 3 fatty acids are ‘good’ fats that your body needs. Hence you should include them in your diet. They can effectively reduce cholesterol levels and even ‘bad’ saturated fats from your body. These fatty acids make up a family of unsaturated fatty acids and are a must-have for the normal functioning of your body.
If you plan a diet rich in fatty acids, it can help maintain gum health and keep your teeth securely rooted. In the long run, you would have fewer risks of decay that can often form in the spaces between damaged gums.
How Omega-3 Fatty Acid Benefits Your Oral Health
Surprisingly, Omega-3s can help reduce your signs of periodontal disease significantly. Hence you should strive to take a diet rich in EPA and DHA omega-3s. If Omega 3 is not a part of your regular dietary choices, you should try to take it in supplements.
Additionally, Omega 3 is renowned for its ability to reduce chronic inflammation. Hence, it is used to remedy joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Omega 3 supplements can significantly reduce the inflammation of your gums linked with periodontal disease or gum disease.
Several studies support the positive impact of Omega 3 intake on your overall oral and dental health. A 2010 study revealed that consumption of fish oil aids lowers your risk of having gum disease. The study results showed that those in the early or middle stages of gum disease were less likely to be affected.
In another study, researchers found that DHA supplements can effectively make a difference as there is a marked improvement in periodontitis. It is an inflammatory gum infection or disease that affects nearly half of the US population alone.
Periodontal disease is a severe infection of the gum as it will destroy the bones and soft tissue that support your teeth. If the infection spreads, the toxins produced by these harmful bacteria could damage your teeth resulting in tooth loss.
Based on research, the oral health benefits of Omega 3 are enormous. The fatty acid has potent antibacterial effects against a wide range of mouth bacteria. The fatty acids DHA, ALA, and EPA, including fatty acid esters, might inhibit the growth of pathogens inside your mouth.
Getting Enough Omega-3s in Your Diet
Consciously try to add more Omega 3 fatty acids to your diet, as it is a good idea whether or not you already have an existing periodontal condition. Adding Omega 3 is very simple to include in your daily routine.
You can find ALA in plant oils, whereas seafood is the best DHA and EPA fatty acids source. You can generally find Omega 3 in fishes like salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, and mackerel. Moreover, you can also consume them in the form of fish oil liquid, capsules, or pills.
Studies suggest that if you consume more Omega 3, it could be considered an important dietary change to improve gum health. Remember that eating fewer refined sugars and other highly processed carbs can be an added benefit.
How Does Fish Oil Impact Your Oral Health?
Because of its several health benefits, fish oil has become a popular dietary supplement in recent years. These nutritional supplements contain Omega 3 fatty acids. Most experts advocate including a daily fish oil supplement to benefit your health.
A fish oil supplement could include everything from improving your cardiovascular health to boosting your immune system. But many individuals do not realize that fish oil can also provide other oral health benefits in many ways. Here we discuss a few interesting points about taking a fish oil supplement for a healthy mouth.
What is Omega 3 Rich Fish Oil?
Fish oil is extracted from sardines, salmon, mackerel, and herring oily sea fishes. The oil of these fishes has a high content of Omega 3 fatty acids. Do you know that these fishes themselves do not produce these fatty acids?
But instead, these fatty acids accumulate in the bodies of these sea fishes through the consumption of plankton and microalgae. Unlike fishes, the human body cannot synthesize omega-3 fatty acids. Instead, you can acquire them from your diet only when you have the fish that eats these microalgae containing EPA and DHA.
You can consume fish oil oils available in liquid form, capsules, or tablets. It is best consumed along with food items as it minimizes any digestive side effects. Your diet should contain fatty fish such as wild-caught salmon, sardines, and herring regularly, as it could be an excellent source of Omega 3.
However, many individuals find fish oil supplements to be a convenient method to meet the daily recommended level of Omega 3 intake. The fatty acid benefits your gums and teeth, improving your oral health.
Omega 3 Enriched Fish Oil Improves Oral Health
Omega 3 is popularly known to have many potential health benefits, including balancing LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. These fatty acids are known to boost your immune system and effectively treat AIDS. Some believe that the curative properties of fatty acids have not been proven in clinical trials. But still, there is very strong evidence of its anti-inflammatory effects on our human body.
Periodontal disease, chronic inflammation of your gums, may cause your gums to recede and your teeth to deteriorate. The condition can worsen and expose deep pockets of tissue in your gums in which harmful bacteria thrive and cause infections. This situation can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Studies have indicated a strong link between the increased consumption of Omega 3 and a drastic reduction in the inflammation of the gums. According to stats, this condition often affects nearly half of the US population. Therefore you should reduce its symptoms through a dietary supplement, which is a good option.
A 2014 Harvard study stated that dietary supplements like DHA could reduce the depth of gum pockets caused due to periodontitis. Additionally, nutritional supplements can improve the support of the teeth and lessen the chances of infection.
Whether you have an infection in the gum or not, always try adding a fish oil supplement to your daily diet. It is an easy and simple way to meet the recommended intake of Omega 3. It also offers vital prevention in the development of periodontitis.
You can visit our dental clinic if you are currently dealing with periodontal disease and would like more dental health advice in this regard. Our team would happily discuss any dental health concerns you might have. They will also assist you in finding a customized treatment plan that works for you.
Why Choose Us?
We at Dubai believe that oral care starts from the gums up at our dental clinic. This means if your teeth and gums are not healthy, all the fluoride will not keep your smile intact and beautiful.
The good news is that Omega 3, commonly found in fish like salmon, can diminish gum inflammation and gum disease. These fatty acids restore soft tissue and bone loss, which is the key to your gum recovery.
If you notice that an increase of salmon in your diet is insufficient to reduce your gum pain, it might be best to get in touch with your dentist. If you have inflammation or think it may have progressed to gum disease, then give us a call today.
Our clinic offers a wide range of services to help address the issue. When visiting the clinic for a regular check-up, our team will give you a dental disease screening to ensure optimum dental health.
We will measure and record your periodontal condition. This will include the periodontal pocket depths, bleeding points(bleeding gums), inflammation, recession, indicators, etc. If needed, our dentist here can provide you with a non-surgical periodontal therapy that includes deep scaling and root planing. The treatment might also include laser therapy in mild to moderate periodontal disease.
You need to understand that the reason to add Omega 3 in your diet or a supplement like a fish oil capsule – is to reach far beyond your mouth. This means Omega 3 can improve your memory and brain function, lessen joint pain, protect you from cardiac disease, and also improve the skin.
Hence with healthy dental practices and periodical check-ups, you can say gingivitis and gum inflammation goodbye.
