Plant Based Food Trends And Your Oral Health
The main facts from your St John’s Wood Dentist.
Here at Abbey Road Dental we are not here to tell anyone whether it is right or wrong to eat any kind of diet, but we do recognise that statistics show that 7% of the UK population now identify as vegan.
There are also many people who are cutting down on meat regularly, experimenting with things like juicing, and others who identify as ‘flexitarian’ which is where you dip in and out of different diet styles depending on what you fancy.
With a plant based lifestyle, you do not consume any animal ingredients at all. This includes meat, eggs, dairy and honey. Some people identify as vegans which is where you are plant based, but also follow a lifestyle which is free from animal products like leather. Here at Abbey Road Dental, we want our patients to have beautiful teeth alongside the lifestyle they follow. With that in mind, we wanted to give you some potential pros and cons of veganism in relation to your oral health, so that you can be aware of certain issues you could face without the relevant diet adjustments and support from your NW8 dentist, and healthcare providers:
Vitamin Deficiency
There is no evidence to suggest that a well balanced vegan diet will be particularly lower in any vitamins and minerals aside from B12 which comes from animals bred for meat; so meat eaters consume the vitamin indirectly this way. However, a change in diet for anyone could result in accidental vitamin and mineral deficiency and a lack of balance. With that in mind, it is a good idea to take general supplements like vegan multivitamins at least at the beginning of your diet change so you can feel confident your entire body, including your mouth and gums, are getting the nutrients they need to be healthy.
Tooth Decay
Consuming things like kale and other leafy greens is good for your teeth because the chewing helps to remove debris from the teeth and to help create more saliva. However, drinking a lot of fresh fruit juices and smoothies could be problematic for the teeth because fruit is high sugar and acid. Try to stick to vegetable juices if you can, and consume whole fruit rather than blended fruit where possible.
A Lower Risk Of Mouth Cancer
Obviously cancer risk is individual to the person and nothing takes away your risk of any cancer completely. However, Cancer Research UK states on their website that:
“A diet high in fruit and vegetables may protect against head and neck cancer – insufficient fruit and vegetables intake is linked to an estimated 56% of oral cancer cases, and an estimated 45% of laryngeal cancer cases in the UK.”
So a healthy vegan diet could help to lower your risk of oral cancer if you consume plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Speak To Your St John’s Wood Dentist About Plant Based Diets
If you are thinking of going plant based, or you already have made the change and want oral health advice to support a bright and healthy smile with this kind of diet, please give us a call. We are here to help you have the healthiest possible smile alongside your chosen diet. You can reach us on 02076241603 and our friendly team will be pleased to book you an appointment at a time convenient to suit you.