If you are already vegan or thinking about becoming vegan, you may be curios about the impact of such a diet on your oral health. If you have already started researching these impacts, you may have noticed that those who practice veganism are still prone to cavities. In fact, some studies claim that vegans are more prone to acid erosion, which in turn makes them more likely to get cavities than their herbivore counterparts. To help you understand why this could be the case, here is a brief list expounding on why cavities are so common with vegan diets.
Vitamins and Amino Acids
Make no mistake, vegan diets contain immaculate health benefits. They relax the digestive system and promote detoxification throughout the body. However, because these diets lack essential proteins and fats, they are simply unsustainable in the long run. Animal fats contain essential vitamins and amino acids that promote tissue and bone growth.
Veganism and Modernization
Many people are under the impression that veganism is a throwback to previous ways of being. This could not be further from the truth. As many studies have concluded, veganism was borne out of modern culture and was not practiced by our ancestors. This is because most of the food vegans have the luxury of selecting from were only available seasonally without the modern conveniences of portable refrigeration and storage. Consequently, veganism is a distinctly modern practice that is not capable of adequately sustaining the body for longer periods of time.
Fruit Drinks
Most people know that fruit juices can have a negative impact on their teeth. But what about whole fruits? The fact is, whole fruits can be just as damaging to the teeth–and vegan diets are rich in whole fruits. No matter whether they are in liquid or solid forms, fruits contain acids that promote the erosion of enamel. While consuming them may not be as detrimental as drinking three liters of Diet Coke every single day, the results are certainly comparable.
What You Can Do
Fortunately, there is a way to reconcile a vegan diet vis-a-vis oral health. Start by monitoring your citrus intake, and taking care to brush within at least thirty minutes after consuming anything containing concentrated levels of citrus. It is important to wait at least thirty minutes due to the fact that acids erode the enamel on our teeth, so if you brush too soon after consuming citrus you are likely damaging your enamel.
