To your gum health, nutrition is an important contribution. Soft cakes and breads lodge between the teeth and allow bacteria to increase plaque build-up. There are foods that clean teeth like apples and carrots. The lack of vitamin C can cause spongy, swollen gums that bleeds easily. Susceptibility to gum problems can be increased by emotional stress because it can decrease the salivation during stressful periods. Salivation can also be reduced by mouth breathing. Inflamed gums and loose teeth can be promoted by silver amalgam dental fillings due to toxic metal poisoning.