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Most of us want a little instant gratification when we diet. But a lose-weight-fast diet that can damage our health … and our smiles.
Restrictive diets that feature lemon juice and other acidy drinks can weaken tooth enamel. Even diets that many consider healthy — liquid cleanses, low-carb diets like Atkins or Paleo, vegan or raw diets — may not always be so healthy for the teeth and gums.
The choice to diet or not is your own decision. But if you have chosen to lose weight by making adjustments to the foods you eat, here’s what you need to know.
Juice Cleanses and Your Teeth
Among the diets that can cause dental problems is a juice cleanse. During a cleanse people consume only fruit and vegetable juices for three to seven days. No solid food obviously means no chewing, and no chewing results in reduced saliva production. Your saliva play an important role in clearing food debris from your teeth, and controlling the bacterial buildup that leads to cavities.
Additionally, juices tend to be acidic, which breaks down tooth enamel. You’re much better off eating your fruit than drinking it. If you must have juice, dentists tend to suggest drinking it through a straw and then rinsing your mouth with water directly afterward.
And do not brush your teeth for an hour or so after drinking juice. Your enamel will be soft after exposure to acidy fluids, so let the acid neutralize – wait an hour or so before you brush. Once you’ve lost your enamel, it’s gone. But you can help to protect your teeth with fluoride mouthwashes and “remineralizing” toothpastes can help, too.)
Low-carb Problems
Fewer simple carbs tend to mean less sugar – that’s great for teeth. But many dieters on strict carb-restricted plans can experience dry mouth. As noted above, lack of saliva creates a harsh oral environment for your teeth.
Whether low carb is a diet or a lifestyle for you, make life better for your teeth when you’re eating low carb by keeping yourself well-hydrated with water or other sugar-free liquids, rinsing your mouth with a product designed for dry mouth care, and chewing sugarless gum (the gum encourages saliva flow).
Thankfully what’s good for your body is also good for your teeth. Eat a variety of foods including plenty of vegetables, lean sources of protein such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish; dry beans, peas and other legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. Limit snacks to healthy foods such as fruits, veggies or a piece of cheese. Stay active. Think lifestyle, not diet – getting fit is not a project, it’s a lifelong process.
Be careful about falling into the skinnier is better trap too. Muscles weigh more than fat, so a healthier you may not equate to a smaller number on the scale. Most of us have a good idea of the weight that we feel our best at – and that number may not correlate to your “perfect” weight on medical charts. If you’re not sure what your fitness goal should be, look for help from a nutritionist, personal trainer or medical professional that is more concerned about your health than the size of your jeans.
Can’t afford a consultation with a medical professional? Consider joining a savings plan like DP HealthNow, which supplements your medical insurance with discounts on health services such as free virtual consultations with doctors, and wellness offerings that include personalized web-based workouts, health tips on nutrition, weight loss and exercise, plus self-help health and wellness calculators.
To find out more about DP Health Now, and dental savings plans that will help you cut the costs of your dental care, visit dentalplans.com.
