You’ve decided to make some big changes in your lifestyle, more specifically your overall health. You might be thinking of hitting the gym with some friends, or maybe starting a diet program you haven’t tried before. But what about your smile? You might think visiting a dentist once in a while or brushing your teeth is good enough to maintain great oral health, but there are some trendy diets that might keep you from achieving your newfound goals. Your local dentist in Medford can help you identify which diets could be harming your teeth in the long run.
Which Diets Are Ruining My Teeth?
In general, most of us choose to diet because we want to feel stronger and live a fresher lifestyle, but some diets can unexpectedly put our wellbeing on the wrong track. When it comes to your oral health, here are some diets that should be avoided:
- Juice Cleanses: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the healthiest choices we can make, but the problem is when you only consume juices, you end up depriving yourself of fiber and other nutrients necessary for healthy hair, nails, skin, and teeth. Plus, there is a lot of natural and artificial sugars in juice, which can cause decay and cavities.
- Raw Food Diets: Raw foods also introduce a lot of bacteria to the mouth, especially when eating high amounts of fruit, nuts, or seeds.
- Small Meals: Teeth are vulnerable to damage for up to an hour after eating. People who practice eating 6 to 8 times a day instead of 3 are more likely to cause damage to weakened teeth, wearing out the enamel over time by eating too frequently.
How Can I Avoid These Dietary Problems?
Fortunately, the alternative to these three diet trends is to adjust the amount of food consumed and your oral healthcare routine. These tooth-friendly solutions can be simple practices, like:
- Chewing sugar-free gum to combat damage from nuts or seeds
- Washing or brushing your teeth in between every meal
- Getting plenty of sleep
Avoiding the negatives of certain diets is as simple as eating in moderation and understanding the effects of the food you consume. Cleaning your teeth and keeping them strong is essential for not only your dental health, but your overall health too!
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino, graduate of Harvard College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, practices dentistry in Medford, MA. With a passion for his community and continuing education, Dr. Giamberardino received the Harvard Community Health Plan Diamond Award for excellence in patient care and staff satisfaction. Today, he’s happy to guide patients through personalized oral healthcare plans, which includes advice on diets, habits at home, and more. If you have questions, feel free to visit his website or call 781-396-3800.