is not uncommon for people who live vegan lifestyles to face criticism about their diet. The increased risk of nutrient deficiencies is a particularly common topic. And this, in turn, is said to harm the teeth. But what is behind the criticism?
After the my latest article On the vegan lifestyle and oral health, I have delved deeper and deeper into this topic. I am glad that this subject seems to have helped several people who asked themselves the same question I did. So here is the 2nd article with perhaps the most important topics when it comes to vegan dentistry.
is not uncommon for people who live vegan to face criticism about their diet. The increased risk of nutrient deficiencies is a particularly common topic. And this, in turn, is said to harm the teeth. But what is behind the criticism?
According to the following reasons, it is said that the vegans have worse teeth. Let's look at them together.
My trusted dentist, Dr. Alberto Fanelli , will answer these questions. Can you send me your questions? at the end of the article and I will be happy to answer you together with him.
Dr. Alberto Fanelli
Specialized in Endodontics, Conservative Dentistry, and Prosthetics
- Vegans have nutrient deficiencies
Following a vegan diet means finding alternatives to many foods that are part of the daily diet of non-vegans. All animal foods are automatically eliminated: meat, of course, but also milk, butter, eggs, etc.
Dr. Fanelli: What nutrients do we need to keep our teeth healthy?
For dental health, it's not only vegans who need to pay attention to calcium and vitamin D . A good intake of these two micronutrients plays an important role not only in maintaining bone density but also in the mineralization of teeth. An unbalanced diet, a deficiency of vitamin D, and an intake insufficient of calcium are therefore potentially harmful to all teeth.
is important to obtain these essential nutrients from other food sources such as Chinese cabbage, black cabbage, kale, broccoli, white beans, almonds, sesame paste, dried figs, calcium-rich seaweed, and calcium-fortified foods.+
- Vegans and Acidity
is obvious that a vegan diet focuses on fruits and vegetables. And it is true, the acid in fruit can attack and "dissolve" tooth enamel. Enamel is very important for our teeth; it acts as a protective coating and shields against acids, heat, and cold. However, this does not mean that one should stop eating fruit.
Dr. Fanelli: after every meal you is recommended to rinse the mouth with water to neutralize acids. Warning: it is recommended to wait half an hour after every meal before brushing your teeth. Otherwise, the softened enamel can simply be pushed away and once it's gone, it won't come back.
- Vegans have a calcium deficiency
Doctors recommend drinking cow's milk or consuming dairy products for dental health, but it is not the only way to obtain calcium. A calcium-rich diet with fortified plant-based beverages, tahini, nuts, and/or appropriate mineral water can meet calcium needs.
- Vegans tend not to use a toothpaste with fluoride.
Research has shown that vegans are more likely to choose a toothpaste without fluoride because they are not sure about this ingredient. This trend started a few years ago and that is why many consumers now believe that fluoride is dangerous.
Dr. Fanelli, is fluoride harmful?
Fluoride is an extremely important component because it promotes the formation of enamel that is more resistant to the attack of bacterial Plaque and is therefore essential for healthy and strong tooth development. It helps prevent cavities by forming fluoroapatite, making the surfaces of the teeth more resistant to attacks from acids produced by bacteria. Proper fluoride prophylaxis can be carried out systemically (water, milk, salt, etc.) and topically (gel, toothpastes, mouthwashes). Of course, it only becomes dangerous when intake, especially during the growth period of the body (particularly before the age of 8), exceeds a certain threshold, exposing one to the risk of fluorosis—a condition in which the structure of the tooth is weakened because it is altered by an excessive amount of fluoride.
If fluoride prophylaxis is correct, a good alternative to fluoride is provided by our toothpastes because we use the active ingredient hydroxyapatite. Clinically, hydroxyapatite resembles the properties of tooth enamel, so it can help protect the tooth surface from erosion.
So being vegan and having healthy teeth is not a problem if you know how to act. Naturally, this includes careful daily dental care as well as check-up visits with professional teeth cleaning. If you have any questions for Dr. Fanelli, feel free to write to me at any time: nora@promis.care or on Instagram.
Our products are vegan: discover ours here promis paste with and without fluoride