Is The New Vegan Trend Good For Your Teeth?

Posted by Crown House Dental on 25th June 2018

Crown House Dental In Egham Takes A Closer Look....

Here at your Egham dentist we support any healthy diet that is balanced and full of all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Veganism can count as a 'strict diet' and it is a good idea to chat to your GP before starting any new strict food regimen. Today, we want to talk to you about the vegan trend and your teeth. After all, what you put into your body has to go via your mouth so, whatever you choose to eat has a huge effect on your smile.

Newspaper reports from this year suggest there are over 3.5 million vegans in the UK, plus many more vegetarians and people reducing how much meat they get in their diet.

So it is certainly a trend that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With that in mind, here are the potential benefits and pitfalls of a vegan diet in relation to your smile:

The Potential Negative Impact A Vegan Diet Could Have On Your Smile

If you do not follow a balanced vegan diet, there are certain issues that could affect your teeth negatively such as:

Juices & Smoothies

If you're going into veganism from a health food perspective you may be consuming more juices and smoothies than you did before. Vegetable juices and vegetable based smoothies are generally good for your teeth and body. However, fruit based juices and smoothies can be high in sugar and highly acidic. This could wear down enamel and contribute towards erosion and decay of the teeth.

Vegan Junk Food

Many people think that vegans only eat salads, when in fact there is vegan everything now to replace dairy, meat and eggs. The excitement of all things vegan can lead some people to eat more junk food than they did before. A diet that is predominantly beige is not beneficial to your teeth and gums, which will not get the nutrients they need, or the rest of your body; so a balanced healthy diet should always be the key goal.

Malnutrition

If you are not careful about eating a balanced diet, with additional supplements if you need them, you may end up being malnourished. This can happen to anybody regardless of whether or not they eat meat, but when you start a new diet it can happen easily because you're eating so differently. The lack of certain nutrients and vitamins such as calcium could cause issues with your teeth.

The Potential Positive Impact A Vegan Diet Could Have On Your Smile

Becoming vegan could have some benefits for your teeth that you may not have realised such as:

Eating More Vitamins And Minerals

If you eat a balanced vegan diet, you will consume more fruits and vegetables. This means you get more vitamins and minerals, great news for your oral health. Poor diet is a common risk factor for some mouth cancers.

More Natural Teeth Cleaning

If you eat a balanced vegan diet, you will be consuming vegetables and fruits that are natural teeth cleaners like celery, cruciferous vegetables and apples.

Great Overall Health

Lots of studies suggest that with the right advice and guidance, a vegan diet can promote good overall health. At the very least, eating less red meat is a good thing because consumed in high amounts, it is thought to be bad for the body. Good general health in the body is good news for your smile because your oral health and general health are interlinked.

Speak To Your Egham Dentist For Advice On Veganism And Your Oral Health

If you are concerned about how going vegan could affect your oral health, please come in and speak to us. We understand that veganism is more than just a trend in the UK and many people are going vegan at most, or at least doing meat free Mondays now.

The best thing you can do for your teeth is speak to us, so that we can let you know if your new vegan diet is having an effect on your teeth. The sooner any issues are picked up, the sooner you can make adjustments and get the advice, treatment and tips you need to keep your smile beautiful along with this change in eating habits.  Please call us on 01784432641 and we will be more than happy to book you an appointment at a time to suit you.

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