While making resolutions for the new year, many people decide that they want to improve their health. If you’re one of those people, there are several diets you may have come across while researching ways to improve your overall wellbeing. Though many of these diets may seem like excellent ways to take better care of yourself, some of them have adverse effects on your oral health. Read on to learn about three diet trends that should be avoided to prevent harm to your teeth.
Trend #1: Juice Cleanses
Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that help your body function properly. For that reason, you would think that a juice cleanse is a healthy diet to follow. Sadly, that’s not the case. By drinking only juice, your body misses out on nutrients it needs to keep your teeth healthy. Additionally, natural fruit juice is high in acid and sugar. These things can damage your tooth enamel and raise your risk of decay.
Instead of munching on these foods, eat fresh, tooth-approved fruits and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, apples, celery, pears, and kiwi. If you have the occasional glass of juice, drink it through a straw so it has less contact with your teeth.
Trend #2: Raw Food Diets
People who eat a raw food diet consume only or mostly uncooked and unprocessed foods. Some say this allows your body to get the nutrients it needs without consuming chemicals and preservatives. Fresh fruits are a popular part of these diets, and the natural sugars in them give the bacteria that lead to cavities plenty to feed on. Seeds, another popular food to eat on this diet, can also get lodged in your teeth and raise your chances of decay.
Some raw foods, like spinach, almonds, and pears can benefit your oral health. These foods require a lot of chewing, which stimulates saliva production and helps prevent dry mouth. Saliva also helps wash away harmful oral bacteria, which lessens your chances of developing cavities. Additionally, if you decide to eat seeds, floss afterward to remove any pieces that got stuck between your teeth.
Trend #3: Small Meals
Celebrities and dieticians alike recommend eating several small meals each day. Though this may help you maintain a small waist, this diet has some harmful consequences on your oral health. The acid levels in the mouth rise when we eat. This means that eating extra meals throughout the day exposes your teeth to a constant acid attack.
To avoid this, brush your teeth twice and floss once per day. If you’re going to eat extra meals, you may want to consider doing it more often to remove food particles and lessen the amount of acid in the mouth. Additionally, wait until at least 30 minutes have passed since your last meal before brushing so acid levels in your mouth have a chance to even out.
Trying to take better care of your body by eating healthier is a good idea, but not if it comes at the cost of your oral health. By avoiding these diet trends and opting to eat tooth-healthy foods, you can improve your overall health while maintaining a gorgeous grin!
About the Practice
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling offers the resident of Stephens City the quality oral health care they need to keep their smile healthy, strong, and bright. If you’re considering trying a new diet to better your overall well-being, he can give you tips on what to avoid and recommend an alternative that is better for your smile. Are you ready to set up an appointment or do you have questions about what diet trends can be bad for your oral health? If so, call the dental office of Dr. Thomas A. Gromling at (540) 869-4377 or visit his website to get started.