Fad Diets That Aren’t Tooth-Friendly

If you’re like many others, you may like to start the new year off with a fresh diet plan to shed a few pounds or get into better shape. Dieting is not a bad thing as long as you do it the right way. It obviously has plenty of benefits for your body as a whole. Still, it’s important to pay attention to how the foods you regularly consume affect your oral health. Keep reading to learn what our team has to share about three popular fad diets that can wreak havoc on your teeth.

How Do Fad Diets Affect Oral Health?

Dieting is often associated with jump-starting your mental and physical health, but people often don’t consider oral health when choosing a plan. Here are three popular diets that people often adopt to get healthier, which can be harmful to their teeth and gums:

Juice Cleanse

Juice cleanses are notoriously used as a detox method for the digestive system, but when it comes to oral health, they may not be the best option. When you extract juice from fruits or vegetables, you’re not consuming all of the additional nutrients and fiber that they have to offer your body. Over time, the juice from fruits can start to wear down your tooth enamel, as many are high in acid. Additionally, sugar harms your teeth by promoting tooth decay on already weakened surfaces. Instead of juicing your fruits and veggies, include a healthy balance of each in your daily diet so that your entire body, including your teeth, receives the nourishment it needs.

Raw Food

A popular diet among celebrities is a raw food diet. While these are claimed to help you avoid chemicals and preservatives as well as maintain a thinner waistline, they can also be dangerous for oral health. Raw food diets often include a large number of fruits, seeds, and nuts. When eaten in moderation, these are great options. When consumed in excess, the naturally occurring sugar in fruit can lead to cavities, and chewing hard nuts and seeds regularly can weaken your teeth and cause cracking or chipping. It’s a good idea to have dental floss and some water on hand when you enjoy these foods to remove any leftover particles and sugar that can easily become lodged between your teeth.

Multiple Smaller Meals

Many dieticians claim that, instead of eating three main meals a day, a great way to control weight is to eat many smaller snack-sized meals. While it may benefit your waistline, the more you eat, the more wear and tear your teeth endure. Every time you eat, your teeth are more prone to damage for up to an hour, and most people don’t make a practice of brushing their teeth after every single thing they ingest. This means that the more often you eat, the more likely you are to have plaque build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

If you choose to eat smaller, more frequent meals, make sure to take extra precautions to keep your teeth healthy, such as brushing and flossing after each meal and drinking extra water to rinse your mouth.

Go forth this year with a plan not just for a healthier body, but also a beautiful smile! Talk to our team about diet options that can help keep your oral and overall health in check.