Aesop's Wisdom Keeps You Smiling
When it comes to dieting and dental health you may want to remind yourself of the lesson a rabbit once learned via a turtle and a storyteller named Aesop; i.e. slow and steady wins the race.
This is especially appropriate during this time of the year that strikes fear in the heart of many, otherwise seemingly sane, human beings. The acronym I refer to being "swimsuit season".
Just the mention of those two words sets off an annual onslaught of fad and/or crash dieting, fasting and a boom in the appetite suppressant market.
While common sense will tell you this stress can be detrimental to your overall health, you may not be aware of the havoc it can cause to your oral health.
Let's start by looking at diet pills. Most diet pills decrease salivary flow. Without adequate saliva to neutralize plaque acids, tooth decay can increase dramatically. If you insist on using diet pills, it is important to drink plenty of water. Just increasing your fluids is not enough. Sugary and/or acidic fluids such as pop and juice will only add to your problems. Make sure it's water.
In addition to drinking water, you will want to avoid using whitening toothpastes that contain peroxide. Using these products in a dry environment may lead to damaged tooth enamel.
Fasting, which can lead to a decrease of the minerals needed to maintain a healthy body, can also lead to lack of minerals needed to maintain a healthy mouth.
If you have been considering a vegetarian diet be sure to consult a registered dietician before you begin. Inadequate calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-12 and protein are some of the things that will cause tooth erosion, as well as other health problems, if you do not know how to plan and incorporate adequate nutrition into your diet.
Generally speaking, consulting with your doctor and a registered dietician before you begin any diet is sage advice. This will help assure proper vitamin and mineral intake and avoid any potential adverse interactions with your medications and the foods you eat. You should also inform your dentist so he or she can monitor for any adverse oral effects.
While it is desirable to drop those extra pounds and inches quickly, you do not want to do it at the expense of tooth decay, tooth erosion, periodontal disease and tooth loss.