Is your new year’s resolution to eat healthier? It is always great to take steps to improve your well-being. Doing your research is key when it comes to updating your lifestyle habits. There are always new diet trends out there, and many of them aren’t so great for your smile. Continue reading to learn about some common fad diets at the moment and how they affect your teeth.
Juice Cleanses
This type of diet seems to make a lot of sense on the surface. Fruits and vegetables are healthy, so their juices must be too, right? The issue is that if you are only drinking juice, you are missing out on the fiber and nutrients needed to keep your skin, hair, and nails in good shape. It can even result in dental issues over time. Here are some of them:
- Enamel Erosion: Juice that contains lots of sugar and acid, like soda and energy drinks, can cause your enamel to erode, leaving you with sensitive, discolored teeth.
- Loss of Stability: With low-calorie diets, your insulin levels are affected. When you are on a juice cleanse for a long period of time, you could end up with issues related to your natural collagen that holds your teeth in place.
- Cavities: Bacteria in the mouth feed off natural and artificial sugars. With lots of sugar, you are more likely to develop cavities.
Multiple Small Meals
Most of us have three meals a day. This fad diet consists of consuming six to eight small meals each day, helping people to eat less fat, healthier carbs, and more fruit and vegetables. There are various benefits this can have on our overall health, but it also puts your teeth at risk. Your enamel is more vulnerable up to an hour after your teeth. Ultimately, the more you eat in a day, the more likely you are to develop oral health issues.
Raw Foods
By sticking to a raw food diet, you can get the nutrients you need without unhealthy preservatives. However, this doesn’t rid your body of harm. Fruits contain lots of natural sugars that can result in tooth decay. Seeds and nuts can also be lodged between the teeth, causing additional bacterial growth. Ultimately, you should choose plenty of tooth-healthy foods, like apples and carrots.
If you want to make changes in your diet, be especially wary of the ones listed above. By protecting your oral health now, you can set your smile up for success!
About the Author
Dr. Rebecca Long earned her dental doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep her knowledge and skills sharp. She is a proud fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry – an honor accomplished by only 6% of dentists in the country. For more information or to schedule an appointment at her office in Austin, visit her website or call (512) 328-0155.