3 Diet Trends That Aren’t Great for Your Smile

There always seems to be a tempting new fad diet out there. Whether your goal is to lower the number on the scale, put on some muscle, or avoid junk food, some diet trends can be highly effective. However, not all diets tend to have good effects on oral health. Because of this, it’s important to do your research ahead of time. Read on to learn about a few diets that you should be especially careful of for the sake of your smile!

Raw Food

By sticking to a raw diet, you can get all of the nutrients you need without eating any of those unhealthy preservatives that seem to be in everything these days. However, this doesn’t mean that your body is completely free from harm. Fruits contain natural sugars that can cause tooth decay if you aren’t careful. Seeds and nuts can also become lodged between the teeth and cause additional bacterial growth. In the end, you should choose plenty of foods that benefit your smile, like apples, carrots, and celery.

Multiple Small Meals

Most of us typically have three meals a day, but this fad diet involves consuming six to eight small meals each day. This can help people to eat less fat, healthier carbs, and more fruits and vegetables. There are all sorts of different benefits that this can have on your overall health, but it can also put your teeth at risk. Your enamel is especially vulnerable for up to an hour after you eat, so the more times you eat in a day, the more likely you are to develop oral health issues.

Juice Cleanses

These diets seem to make a lot of sense! Fruits and vegetables are good for you, so their juices are too, right? The problem is that if you are only drinking the juice, you are missing out on the fiber and nutrients that your body needs to keep your skin, hair, and nails in good health. You can even end up with the following dental issues:

• Enamel Erosion: Juice that contains a lot of sugar and acid, like soda and energy drinks, can cause your enamel to erode and leave you with weak, discolored teeth.
• Loss of Stability: With low-calorie diets, your insulin levels are affected. When you’re on a juice cleanse for a long period of time, you could end up with issues related to your natural collagen that holds your teeth in place.
• Cavities: Bacteria in the mouth feed off natural and artificial sugars. When you have a lot of sugar, which is present in juice, you are more likely to end up with tooth decay.

If you’re looking to make changes to your diet, be especially wary of the ones listed above. By considering your oral health, your smile will thank you!

About the Author

After completing his Bachelor of Zoology at Miami University, Dr. Eric Buck earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Columbus Dental Society, American Orthodontists Society, Spear Education Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. For more ways to keep your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Columbus, visit his website or call (614) 228-4850.