There always seems to be a fad diet that is in. Sometimes they can have people to lose a few pounds or cut out some sugary and unhealthy foods that are consumed on the daily. However, it’s important to do your research on which diets do more harm then good when it comes to your health. This includes the health of your smile. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist about which fad diets in Brady are harmful for your teeth.
Juice Cleanses
Juice diets seem to make a lot of sense. After all, fruits and veggies are essential to your health. However, juice isn’t as great as you think it is. When you only have the juice from fruits and veggies, you aren’t getting the fiber and nutrients necessary to keep your hair, nails, and skin healthy. Fruit just is also high in acid and sugar which is damaging to your teeth in several different ways:
- Loss of Stability: If you are on a very low-calorie diet, your body’s insulin levels will be affected. This leads to problems with the collagen fibers that hold your teeth in place. Over time, this can even cause tooth loss!
- Weakened Enamel: Juice affects your teeth in the same way soda does. The high acid content weakens your enamel which makes it more vulnerable to damage and erosion.
- Bacterial Growth: Because of the high levels of sugar that are in juice, you will ultimately have an excess of bacterial growth in your mouth. When this is mixed with a weakened enamel, you are much more prone to tooth decay and cavities.
Small Meals
Many celebrities have promoted a diet where you eat many small meals throughout the day as opposed to having a few large ones. The good thing about this diet is that participants tend to consume less fat, healthier carbs, and more fruits and veggies. However, this isn’t the best option for your smile. In fact, your teeth are more vulnerable to damage for up to an hour after you eat. Ultimately, the more meals you consume throughout the day, the longer that your teeth will remain at higher risk for damage.
Raw Food Diet
Many people have attributed their weight loss to a raw food diet. This is exactly as it seems. This diet contains mostly raw foods as opposed to processed foods. Even though this can help you get much needed nutrients without preservatives and chemicals, it can ruin your teeth. This is because of the high content of fruit, nuts, and seeks. Sugary fruits cause tooth decay. Nuts and seeds can get stuck in your teeth and encourage the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Ultimately this leads to an increased risk of cavities and other issues in the mouth.
If you are starting a new diet, be sure to do your research. After all, your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body.
About the Author
Dr. Greg Ritchie has been practicing dentistry for over 18 years. He earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and is committed to continuing education in order to stay up to date with rapidly changing advances in the field. Dr. Ritchie is a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. For more information on how to best take care of your smile or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (830) 693-8833.
