It’s the beginning of the year, and that means many people are getting started on their resolutions. If you decided to make this the year that you finally take your health seriously, you may be trying to switch up your diet. This may involve looking into new trendy diets to see if you can find one that fits you. unfortunately, many of these diets mean bad news for your pearly whites. Read on to learn about three diet trends and how they can harm your smile.
Trend #1: Juice Cleanses
Many people think that since fresh fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals a juice cleanse will be good for their body. Unfortunately, drinking only juice means that your body misses out on the nutrients it needs to keep your teeth healthy. Natural fruit juice is also high in sugar and acid, so it can damage your enamel and raise your risk of developing cavities. Eat fresh, tooth-approved fruits and veggies like carrots, cucumbers, celery, apples, pears, strawberries, and kiwi instead.
Trend #2: Raw Food Diets
Some say that eating only or mostly uncooked and unprocessed foods lets their body take in the nutrients it needs while avoiding chemicals and preservatives. Unfortunately, fresh fruits are full of natural sugar, which may lead to cavities. Additionally, seeds are often consumed on this diet and can get stuck between your teeth and in your gums, which can also raise your chances of decay. Some raw foods, like spinach, almonds, apples, and pears, are beneficial to your oral health since chewing them up stimulates saliva production to prevent dry mouth. Saliva also washes away bacteria in the mouth. If you eat seeds or other foods that can get stuck in your teeth or gums, make sure to floss afterward to remove pieces stuck between your pearly whites.
Trend #3: Small Meals
You may have heard from celebrities and dieticians that eating several small meals each day can help you maintain a small waist. Since eating raises the acid levels in the mouth, consuming food this often exposes our teeth to harmful acids more often, therefore raising your chances of getting cavities. Make sure to brush and floss after meals to lessen your chances of decay. Since your tooth enamel is temporarily weakened after meals, wait 30 minutes to avoid damaging your teeth.
Before you jump on a new diet trend, make sure to do your research. This will allow you to avoid unintentional damage to your smile and be on your way to better overall health!
About the Practice
Dr. Richard Fossum offers the residents of Temple the quality oral health care they need to maintain healthy, strong, and bright smiles. 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. Richard Fossum at (254) 778-3900 or visit his website to get started.