Do you have a goal of eating healthier? It’s always great to take steps to improve your well-being. However, 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 very great for your teeth. Read on to learn about some of the common fad diets out there and how they affect your teeth.
Juice Cleanses
This type of diet makes a lot of sense on the surface. Fruits and vegetables are good for you, so their juices must be too, right? The problem is that if you are only drinking juice, you are missing out on the fiber and nutrients that you need 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 acidic, 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 time, you could end up with issues related to your natural collogen that hold 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 enjoy three meals a day. This fad diet consists of consuming six to eight small meals each year, helping people to eat less fat, healthier carbs, and more fruit and vegetables. There are various benefits this can have on overall health, but it also puts your teeth at risk. Your enamel is more vulnerable up to an hour after you eat. Ultimately, the more times you eat in a day, the more likely you are to encounter 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 result in tooth decay. Seeds and nuts can also be lodged between the teeth, leading to 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 careful of the ones listed above. By protecting your oral health now and preventing dental emergencies, you can set your smile up for success going forward.
About the Practice
At Juno Beach Smiles, Dr. Greg Riley and Dr. Duane Keuning work together to treat patients in the Juno Beach community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about maintaining a healthy smile or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (561) 622-7243.