How a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Affects Your Dental Health

1. How a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet Affects Your Dental Health

2. Many people opt to be vegetarian or vegan for ethical, religious or health reasons. Still, every coin has two sides. Sometimes, nutritional deficiencies can happen as a result of a vegetarian diet. • Such deficiencies may also affect dental health but you may not even realise this health concern until you go in for a dental exam. As a Pediatric dentist in Ahmedabad, we have encountered those who opt into a vegan diet and enjoy the benefits of weight loss and reduced skin allergies. • On the other hand, we have also encountered those who (mostly through improper or poorly planned vegan diets) are deprived of the essential nutrients for healthy living. Whether you go for painless dentistry or thebest dentist in Ahmedabad for a dental checkup, you may not realise how your diet affects your dental health until you undergo an actual dental exam. 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

3. A vegan diet generally consists of fruits and beverages in the form of juices extracted from fruits and vegetables. Fruit juices, in particular, can be harmful for your teeth in many ways. • Here is a little known fact. Pure fruit juice contains a lot of sugar - and that sugar converts into acid when consumed by oral bacteria. This acid then attacks your teeth and can cause cavities. The same acid byproduct can also wear down your tooth enamel over the time. 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

4. In contrast, L-arginine is a type of amino acid found naturally in meat. Researchers have found that L-arginine decreases the ability for bacteria to stick together which is beneficial for breaking down the bacterial layers in dental plaque. • The lack of L-arginine in vegans, especially, prevents the formation of dental plaque. 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

5. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt contain bone building minerals such as calcium. • Lacto-ovo-vegetarians still have these nutrients but there are many vegan diets that lack dairy products. 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

6. Some vegans who do not properly plan their diets can suffer from deficiencies in complete proteins, vitamin B12, riboflavin, vitamin D and calcium. However, research reveals that even by consuming adequate amount of veggies, legumes, fruits and grains, vegans can acquire the required nutrition through proper intake. • A well-planned vegan diet with ample minerals like calcium encourages high intake of high fibre fruits and can actually have the effect of slowing down the periodontal disease.Vegan diets also contain a lot of raw vegetables and citrus fruits that are highly recommended for their preventive benefits for warding off diseases like oral cancer 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

7. Hence, it is recommended that vegan dieters consider consulting a nutritionist or dentist about alternative foods that can help them maintain healthy gums, teeth and mouth even on a special diet. • Regardless of the diet you follow, it is absolutely essential to regularly monitor your dental health to make sure that your teeth and gums are getting all the nutrients they need - and not being exposed to corrosive substances. If you have any concerns, book an appointment with a dentist to discuss the effects of your diet on your dental health. 027 17-401500 | mbdental@gmail.com | www.mbdentalhome.com

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