You just visited the city last week and felt compelled by Atlanta’s billboards featuring so many healthy and attractive people. You’ve decided that you’re ready to try on that look. By jumping on a brand new diet trend, you’ve joined an exciting community of health activists who are ready to get their bodies and minds back on track. However, many diet trends are actually detrimental to oral health. If you aren’t careful, you may find yourself with a mouth full of cavities and other unexpected consequences. Here are a few common issues related to popular diet trends and what you can do to limit your risks.
1—Catch Sneaky Sugar
While some popular diet trends suggest limiting your sugar intake, a few prevalent ones may significantly increase the amount of sugar that passes through your mouth. Take juice detoxes, for example. Although this juice comes from fresh fruit and vegetables, routinely exposing your teeth to high levels of natural sugar can compromise your tooth enamel.
Additionally, if that sugar sits around your gums and teeth, it can create a breeding ground for bacteria. Feeding on that sugar, the bacteria could increase your risk of developing gum disease and cavities. You can prevent this by reducing the amount of sugar in your diet and limiting the time that the sugar contacts your teeth.
2—Check Your Chewing
Whether you’re on keto or a raw foods diet, you may find yourself consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables. This can be fantastic for removing plaque around your teeth and providing your gums with the nutrients they need to remain strong. However, consuming foods that are difficult to chew, such as nuts and certain types of meat, may damage your teeth. If tiny seeds and nuts get stuck in between your teeth or sit on your gums, bacteria in plaque can build. Flossing regularly and using mouthwash can help you dislodge any bacteria or food debris remaining after your meal.
3—Consider Your Breath
Many people jump on a diet trend after ending a relationship or pursuing a new one. In general, your oral health can be a significant determining factor in your dating and relationship success. Over half of those surveyed by Match.com reported that bad breath can be a make-or-break deal in the dating world. While your body may become fit through a diet, your breath may suffer. This is especially true if you begin the keto diet or one that is high in spiced meats, garlic, cheese, and other odor-causing foods. Sometimes, even a few days after you’ve consumed such foods, your lungs may release the odors. These symptoms can be somewhat reduced through proper hygiene, healthy water consumption, and the inclusion of carbohydrates in your diet.
If you’re looking at a new diet trend, it is wise to research its overarching effects first. Then, make some modifications as needed to maintain your overall physical and oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce E. Carter is a cosmetic and restorative dentist with tried-and-true dental knowledge. Having served his patients for over three decades, Dr. Carter is especially committed to promoting each of his patient’s overall health and well-being. If you are about to begin a new diet and would like some insight from a dentist, feel free to contact Dr. Carter at (770) 995-7616 or by visiting his website.