Should vegetarians be concerned about oral health?

Oral health affects all people to one degree or another, but vegetarians are at a higher risk of tooth decay than their omnivorous counterparts. Numerous long-term studies have indicated that the higher sugar and grain contents found in the diets of vegetarians make them more susceptible to tooth decay. This is because the body often signals the teeth to begin shedding minerals especially in the enamel. Once you lose the enamel in your teeth, you are well on the way to rapid tooth decay. Vegetarians should pay critical attention to how much fruit and grain they consume on a daily basis.

Have you ever noticed that your teeth become sensitive when you eat a lot of sugary snacks? This happens every time your body ingests a lot of sugar. You can still eat sugar in moderation if your diet includes plenty of soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin K2. It just so happens that vegetarians often lack vitamin D because they aren’t eating the foods that contain rich amounts of it. Vitamin A is another vitamin that vegetarians need to get more of in their daily diets. These are good not just for your teeth, but for the overall health of the entire body.

Vegetarian diets are always perceived among popular opinion as being healthier than traditional diets that include meat. This definitely is a myth when it comes to the immune system. The reality is that tooth decay points to a weaker immune system than what you would find in people with good oral health. That’s why vegetarians need to keep oral health in mind as they go about their daily lives. This doesn’t mean that they have to eat meat, but they may have to bend the rules of their diet to achieve maximum oral health.

Vegetarians should ask their dentists about certain vitamins they can take and extra measures they can take to achieve the best oral health. Most dentists will know how to help if they can assess your diet, oral hygiene practices, and maybe even your family history. It may be wise to take extra care of your teeth if you are eating a vegetarian diet now or if you plan to make a switch in the near future. It will be easier than you think to make the right adjustments. You don’t have to abandon your lifestyle to have good oral health, but you do need to be aware of oral health.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403