Could Your Diet De-rail Your Dental Health?
Weight loss tips rarely take dental health into account – but we’re here to make sure YOU do!
Lots of us started the year with the best intentions for self-improvement – the chart-topping resolution being to lose weight. Whilst we support anything that helps improve your general health, we wanted to draw your attention to a few weight loss tips that could actually damage your teeth. Because it would be a shame if you got to your target weight and didn’t feel confident smiling about it!
They Say:
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
We Say:
Eating more often means your teeth are under acid attack for longer periods. We’d rather you stick to three meals a day, just make them lighter and healthier. Drink plenty of water in between will help keep the hunger pangs at bay.
They Say:
Eat low-fat foods.
We Say:
Beware of added sugar in so-called ‘diet’ foods. Luckily, the low-fat craze has mostly passed, but we still hear patients saying they’re cutting fat from their diets. The danger is that many manufacturers add sugar as a flavour-enhancer and preservative when fat is removed or reduced. Choose healthier fats instead, such as from fish, nuts and avocados.
They Say:
Drink ‘healthy’ smoothies
We Say:
Drink water and eat whole fruits instead. When you eat fruits whole, the fructose (naturally-occurring sugar) is largely encased in fibres that your body has to work to break down in your digestive system. But when fruits are blended into smoothies, the sugars are released immediately to coat your teeth and wreak dental havoc.
They Say:
Cut out sugary snacks and junk food.
We Say:
YES! This is something we can all agree will benefit your entire system, from your overall weight to the brilliant smile you’ll flash when you finally fit into those jeans. To deliberately misquote Kate Moss, nothing tastes as good as healthy feels!
When you’ve accomplished your first weight loss milestone, why not treat yourself to a dental hygiene treatment or professional teeth whitening. You don’t need to wait until you’ve reached your final goal to start looking (and feeling) your best!
Do you have a specific question?
Get in touch with us today.
