There are several health benefits to transitioning into a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some reasons may include eating a diet lower in fats and cholesterol to improve the health of your heart or simply wanting to try something new.
Of course, you should always talk to your doctor first before making any huge dietary changes, especially if you’re taking any medications. You’ll want to educate yourself beforehand so you’re aware of all the changes that might occur when you’re eating in this manner.
In this article we’re going to cover if you need to be concerned about your oral health in the first place, and what you can do to maintain a balanced diet to protect your oral health in the long-term.
Do I need to be concerned about my oral health in the first place?
There’s a lot of debate as to which diets end up being healthier for you in the long-term. In the end, it’s all about your body type, and which style of eating gives you the most energy while maintaining your long-term health. This debate continues into the realm of oral health as well.
However, there are two nutrients that there is no debate about, calcium and vitamin D. Both of these nutrients greatly contribute to your overall oral health.
A lack of these two nutrients can cause your teeth to soften over time and lead to gum disease over the long-haul. The potential for developing these is more pronounced in young children as well. So, if your children are eating in this way, then you’ll need to be extra careful that they’re getting the right nutrients.
What do I need to do to ensure a balanced diet?
Eating a balanced diet as a vegetarian or vegan means diversifying what you’re eating across a variety of food groups. For example, you’ll want to be eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes. If you are eating a large enough diversity of these types of foods, you should be covering all of your nutritional requirements. You can also take supplements if need be, or substitute foods such as soy milk or nutritional yeast to give you a larger nutritional boost.
As a vegetarian or vegan you’ll want to make sure you’re getting your blood tested regularly to make sure your levels are within a normal range.
Keep in mind that eating whole foods, especially of the green leafy kind will go a long way towards maintaining your oral health.
I hope this article has been valuable and you have a better overall understanding of how your dietary choirs and compact your oral health. It’s important to make sure you’re getting the right balance of food in your body, both for your oral and bodily health.
By eating vegetarian or vegan you can quickly escalate into the realm of eating in a manner that’s detrimental to your health, so keeping constant track of how you’re feeling should be a necessity.