Can Dieting affect my Teeth?

Diets can have a major impact on your teeth and general oral health.

A low-fat diet can cause problems with the absorption of vitamins such as A, D, E and K since these ones need fat to make them soluble, which means that the body can absorb these vitamins.

Vitamin D is the important one for your oral health as this is the element that helps the body absorb calcium, which forms the basis for your bones and teeth.

If you can’t absorb calcium, your bones and teeth start to become brittle and break down. Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that low fat products tend to be high in sugar which in turn leads to a greater chance of tooth decay.

Low Carbohydrate Diets and Your Teeth

A low-carbohydrate diet, if it’s working, will make your breath smell of nail polish remover, which is the smell of acetone.

Acetone smell may seem like a sign that a low-carb diet causes bad oral health, but it isn’t necessarily so.

It means ketosis, the process where your body is burning fat rather than carbohydrates for energy, is working and producing chemicals called ketones.

You can get rid of this bad breath by drinking lots of water, using a natural breath freshener such as parsley and brushing your teeth regularly.

The only other way to improve the state of your breath is going back to having carbs in your diet but this will mean you’ve changed diets.

Low Calorie Diets and Your Teeth

A low-calorie diet can seriously negatively affect your oral health.

It can lead to malnutrition, which will weaken your jawbone, soften your enamel and make you vulnerable to gum disease.

If you choose to limit calories, take care you get all the vitamins and minerals you require.

A fruit detox has the danger of malnutrition as well with an added risk to your teeth and gums from the high levels of sugar.

The acid found in most fruit will also damage your enamel and leave you vulnerable to infection and decay.

Diet pills are definitely worth avoiding in terms of oral health as they leave you with a dry mouth by cutting down your flow of saliva. Saliva contains decay-fighting chemicals, provides a defence against cavities, and washes away food particles and bacteria.

If you are going on a diet, consult your doctor and dentist first to prevent risks to your general and oral health.