Bleeding Gums

There are two main reasons that gum disease is so closely linked to vitamin C status. Vitamin C is required for the development of collagen, the ground substance between our cells that gives tissues their integrity, and our gums are fragile tissues to begin with. That is why bleeding gums is a symptom of scurvy.

Our mouths are exposed to the outside world and its flood of nasty things like bacteria. Vitamin C is required for the development of our immune systemís specialized disease-fighting cells. Infection is much more likely if your vitamin C intake is not optimum.

The saying "long in the tooth", referring to something getting old, originates from the appearance that our teeth get longer as we get older. The fact is the gums of people with sub-clinical scurvy recede with age, exposing more tooth. Take lots of C and don't become part of a saying.