Right now, you and your family are crossing the bridge between the recent Halloween sugarfest and the upcoming holiday sweets extravaganza. Waistlines may be paying the price most visibly. But all that sugar takes a toll on teeth and gums, too. Besides brushing and flossing, there’s another proven way to make your dentist and your mouth happy: Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
A recent study found taking the omega 3 forms DHA and EPA decreased periodontitis up to 20 percent.
Periodontitis starts with a bacterial infection along the gum line and at the base of teeth that can destroy the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. It can cause tooth loss but also increases your risk of heart attack, stroke and other health problems. That’s why it’s important to treat periodontitis aggressively — or better yet, prevent it entirely.
Sugar feeds harmful bacteria to help them multiply — which can lead to periodontitis. Additional studies show the omega 3s DHA, EPA and ALA inhibit growth of the oral bacteria that causes periodontitis. Even modest levels of these omega 3s made an impact.
To protect your smile and overall health, be sure to brush and floss daily, get a professional dental cleaning every six months, and incorporate more omega 3s into your diet. Salmon, flaxseed, enriched eggs, walnuts, and soybeans are rich sources of various forms of omega 3.
Another easy way to increase omega 3 intake is with Reliv nutritional products such as GlucAffect®, Reversage® and Reliv Now® for Kids. All three are great sources of omega 3 essential fatty acids that come in a simple shake chock-full of other beneficial nutrients too. And to help you cut back on your sugar intake, try a healthier alternative such as Relivables® All-Natural Sweetener. Stir the calorie-free sweetener in your coffee, tea or use anywhere else you would normally use sugar.
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