Fish oil has become a popular dietary supplement for its many health benefits. Some nutritionists advocate including a daily fish oil supplement to help everything from boosting the immune system to improving cardiovascular health. What many people do not realize is that fish oil can also be beneficial to your oral health. Here is what you need to know about taking a fish oil supplement for a healthy mouth:
Fish oil is extracted from oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. Its nutritional value lies in its high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These fatty acids are not actually produced by the fish themselves, but instead they accumulate in their bodies through the consumption of microalgae and plankton. Humans cannot synthesize omega-3 fatty acids either and instead acquire it from their diet, primarily from the fish that eat the microalgae that contain DHA and EPA.
Fish oil is most commonly consumed in liquid, capsule, or tablet form, and it is best consumed along with food in order to minimize any digestive side effects. A diet rich in fatty fish such as wild caught salmon, herring, and sardines is also an excellent source of DHA and EPA omega-3s, but many people find fish oil supplements to be a convenient way to meet their daily recommended intake.
DHA and EPA have been praised for having many potential health benefits including balancing HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, boosting the immune system, treating AIDS, and reversing macular degeneration. While many of the claims regarding its curative properties have not been proven in clinical trials, there is strong evidence of its anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Periodontitis is the chronic inflammation of the gums that causes teeth to deteriorate and the gums to recede, exposing deep pockets of tissue in which bacteria thrive and cause severe infections as well as tooth loss. Studies have shown a strong link between the increased consumption of omega-3s and significant reductions in the inflammation of the gums. As a condition that affects up to half of the U.S. population, the implications of reducing it through a dietary supplement are huge. A Harvard study from 2014 paired dietary DHA supplements with a low dose of aspirin and found significant reductions in depth of pockets in the gums of those with periodontitis, improving support of the teeth and lessening the chances of infection.
Whether you have gum disease or not, adding a fish oil supplement to your diet is an easy way to meet the recommended intake of DHA and EPA omega-3s. The benefits to your teeth and gums can improve your oral health as well as offer vital prevention in the development of periodontal disease.
If you’d like more dental health advice or are currently dealing with periodontal disease, contact us at Ace Dental. We are happy to discuss any dental health concerns you may have to help you find a treatment plan that works for you!
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