Does Being A Vegan Affect Your Dental Health?

The vegan diet is, without a doubt, one of the most popular diets out there.A change of diet can have a massive effect on the overall health of an individual. Depending on which diet one is undertaking, the change can either be negative or positive. Take the vegan diet; for instance, it is known to bring an array of positive benefits to overall body health. However, one thing that is often overlooked is the effect these diets can have on oral health. Can a vegan diet affect your dental health? This article will examine the possible effects the vegan diet can have on dental health.

Effects of a vegan diet on oral health

The vegan diet is often criticized for its lack of sufficient minerals and nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. This is because these nutrients are often found in large quantities in animal products or animal-based diets. Because minerals such as calcium and vitamins such as vitamin D are vital for dental health, one might assume that the vegan diet is not ideal for good dental health. But how true is this?

A study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was established that traditionally vegan societies tend to have more cavities than non-vegan societies. Another research conducted by Dr Weston Price found that vegans are more likely to suffer from tooth decay than no-vegans. This goes to show that a vegan diet is not an ideal diet for good oral health. But some people have a contrary opinion.

In some ways, the vegan diet can be better than a non-vegan diet when it comes to oral health. For instance, vegan foods are believed to provide defense against some dental diseases such as gum disease and oral cancer.This is because vegetables and fruits are known to boost the body’s immunity to prevent diseases. So there is a possibility that being vegan can actually improve your oral health in ways that a non-vegan diet cannot.

How to boost oral health on a vegan diet?

While the obvious lack of essential nutrients for good oral health is apparent in a vegan diet, some people believe that you can have good oral health even with a vegan diet. This is because there are some vegan foods that when taken in the right quantities, can help supplement the lack of calcium and essential minerals. Additionally, one can also opt to take supplements along with their diets to boost their nutrient intake. However, care should be taken when choosing the right supplements because some supplements are derived from animals. So it is advised that when buying supplements for your vegan diet, you should read the labels before making a purchase to ensure that they are not animal-derived supplements.

Bottom Line

At Springvale Dental Clinic, we care about your oral health, and we are here to take care of you and your loved ones. Because it is important to maintain good oral health even on a vegan diet, visiting your dentist to keep track of your oral health is essential. Visit our dentist in Noble Park for all your queries on a vegan diet and oral health, and we will be more than happy to assist you.