It is clear the vegetarian diet is here to stay in Canada, and people want to know how this diet might affect their oral health. The following will help you understand this diet and how it might affect your oral health if you are thinking about it.
What is a Vegetarian Diet?
Everyone knows you are what you eat. This is the reason you need to ask the right questions before you start any diet. What is this diet all about? The vegetarian diet is a little more complex than people might imagine. Usually, it means you aren't going to eat meat. People consider this diet for various reasons such as religion, health, environmental, and to protect animals.
It should be pointed out that vegetarian diets have some variations like the ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet, which allows dairy products and eggs. The lacto-vegetarian diet allows only dairy foods. You've also got the ovo-vegetarian diet that eliminates dairy products but does allow you to eat eggs.
You've also got the pescatarian diet, which allows you to eat fish, eggs, and dairy foods. The vegan diet has the most restrictions as it doesn't allow you to eat any animal products including eggs, dairy, or even honey. Flextarian diet is another option. This is where your diet is mostly vegetarian, but every so often these people eat some meat and animal-derived products.
Could a Vegetarian Diet Affect Your Oral Health?
Okay, so now you know what kind of diet variations are available, but can any of these diets affect your oral health?
A vegetarian this diet is pretty healthy, but it does come with one major risk. The lack of certain nutrients could put you at risk of periodontal disease and weakened teeth. Vegetarians may suffer from vitamin D and calcium deficiency. Vegans may lack vitamin B2 and vitamin B12. The good thing is vitamin D is naturally produced by the body, especially if you go outside for a good amount of time to soak up the sun. You can increase calcium by simply adding more calcium-rich foods that should be properly processed to get the most nutrients. Of course, you could just use supplements that contain vitamin B2, B12, and calcium just to be safe.
Vegetarian Foods That Could Help Oral Health
To ensure your oral health is protected, you will have to be conscious about what you eat. You already know how to deal with your vitamin D deficiency, but if you want a dental-friendly diet, you'll need to reconsider your grocery shopping list. For example, if you want more calcium, make sure you have the following:
• Beans or legumes
• Dark, leafy greens like kale
• Almonds
• Calcium-enhanced products like orange juice or plant based milk such as almond or soy
To keep your teeth as strong as possible, you are going to have ensure your diet includes foods with a lot of potassium. The following foods should be included in your list:
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Potatoes
• Prunes
• Sweet potatoes
• Swiss chard
• Tomatoes
If your teeth's enamel is low, you might need to add pumpkin seeds, soybeans, and lentils to your diet. These foods are also good if you are having a plaque problem, which can happen if you are deficient in some of the nutrients mentioned earlier. On top of these dietary changes, you should make it a priority to visit us at the Upper Hunt Dental Centre located in South Ottawa for dental checkups. A routine checkup will help ensure that any issue is dealt with quickly before it becomes a costly problem. Every diet out there has its pros and cons, but with the help of a good oral specialist, you'll be able to address some of the cons that exist within a vegetarian diet.
What you put into your body affects your overall health as well as your oral health. If you are looking to transition into a vegetarian diet, make sure to speak with your doctor about specific foods you should consume and any supplements. Also, visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in South Ottawa to check up on your oral health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
