Our body is quite the complex machine. If your New Year’s resolution consists of trying to lose some weight, be aware that some diets may have a negative effect on your oral health. Read on to find out the effects of the most popular diets out there...
The well-known low-fat diet can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium so this is especially important for oral health. Low-fat foods generally have a large amount of sugar in them. When your body can’t absorb calcium, your teeth and bones start to break down. What’s more, low calorie diets, (if too extreme) can cause malnutrition leading to an increased chance of periodontal disease or cavities.This sounds unlikely but can happen if dieting goes too far.
Cutting calories may be an effective way to lose weight, but for your mouth it can mean a weakened jawbone, softened enamel and deficient gums.
When you’re on a low- or no-carb diet, one way you can tell it’s working is if your breath starts to smell acidic, like nail polish remover. The unique scent of acetone is a strong sign of ketosis. This is the process where your body begins to burn fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel, releasing chemicals called ketones.
Not surprisingly, though, the most effective way to freshen your breath again is by eating carbs. And that may not be a bad idea, considering high levels of ketones can induce ketoacidosis, an illness in which your blood levels grow dangerously acidic. An overload of ketones can also make your body start to burn muscle instead of fat, cause intense fatigue and even damage your heart.
Last but not least, diet pills can cause dry mouth, which leads to an increased risk of tooth decay. Not only does it contain cavity-fighting chemicals, it also helps physically wash away food and bacteria. With a drier mouth, you’re more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
A recent study has shown that those who drank fruit teas had a high rate of enamel erosion on their teeth. Whilst some other problems such as staining were avoided, any damage to the enamel is potentially serious and may lead to decay and even root canal problems.
Today’s nutritional approaches to oral health go beyond dieting. Ongoing research indicates that antioxidants and other nutrients found in food have distinct effects on the mouth’s ability to handle cavity-causing bacteria attacks.
When it comes to good oral health, timing is everything. The body produces extra saliva to help break down larger meals, which washes away more food. It would be safe to say that we should leave the snacking of sugar, carbohydrate-rich or acidic foods to meal times. This will prevent daily acid attacks on tooth enamel!
Floe oral care can be a strong ally in preventing damage to your teeth and offer help protecting your teeth from dieting. Fluoride concentration of 1490ppm is included in each toothpaste which can strengthen tooth enamel - especially important if you’ve experienced tooth erosion or frequent cavities. Our evening toothpaste also contains a high concentration of nano-Hydroxyapatite (nHA), a naturally occurring mineral and the main ingredient of teeth and bone.
And that’s where Floe’s oral care subscription box comes in. The subscription box is designed to break bad oral health habits and create strong ones by helping you form a better routine.
Routine is the foundation of any positive change. By providing the quality tools you need for a healthier mouth, Floe will make sure you see the benefits of small improvements to your oral health that will go on to long-lasting and noticeable change.
Every 3 months , we’ll send you:
Diets may have a negative impact on our oral health, but we can all counteract this by boosting our oral care routine!