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You reach for it at the first sign of a cold. Your gums have a much older claim on it. Vitamin C's chemical name, ascorbic acid, literally means "anti-scurvy" — the deficiency disease that once showed up as soft, bleeding gums and loosening teeth in sailors far from fresh food. The mouth was where it announced itself. That old clue still holds. The same nutrient your immune system relies on also helps build and protect your gums, and there's growing evidence it supports healing — after a tooth is removed, around an implant, or in everyday gum health. Our latest article brings together recent research and simple, practical tips to support your oral health. Tap to read "More Than Immunity: What Vitamin C Does for Your Mouth."