According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about 80 percent of U.S. adults currently have some form of gum disease (periodontal diseases). It ranges from gingivitis, simple gum inflammation, to serious disease that results in damage to the bone.
Research has shown that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, the bacteria that cause periodontitis can travel through your bloodstream to the arteries in your heart, triggering a cycle of inflammation and arterial narrowing that contributes to heart attacks.
It’s not surprising that nutrition plays a key roll in oral health. It is surprising how fast some nutritional supplements can benefit oral health.
Click here to read about a two-week study involving periodontal diseases and lycopene.
Cranberries also have a beneficial effect on oral health. Click here to read about the many additional benefits of this wonder berry.