Losing weight is a goal of most people and there are tons of fad diets out there that claim they can help you reach your goal, faster. Don't believe the hype. Many of these fad diets don't just hurt your weight loss goals in the long run, but they can have a negative effect on your physical health and your oral health. Before jumping on a fad diet bandwagon, make sure you understand the negative oral health implications that can come about.

Raw Food Diet

A popular fad diet is the raw food diet. As part of this program, your diet is limited to only fruits and vegetables in their natural state. Although it might be difficult to embrace the idea that a raw food diet could cause any harm to your health, when you follow this program for a long-period of time, this is actually the case. The cause of the problem is the fact you typically consume high levels of seeds, nuts and fruits while on the plan.

The rough and rigid edges of nuts and seeds can be abrasive to teeth and the sugar in fruit reacts to the natural bacteria in your mouth, causing decay to develop. Eating high levels of raw fruits only increases your decay risk. Avoid practicing this diet for extended periods so that you can incorporate other food options to preserve the health of your mouth, teeth and gums.

Juice Diet

Natural juice from fruit is highly acidic. Increased acid levels wear away enamel and increase your risk of tooth chipping. When you're on an all-juice diet, each time you consume a juice with a high fruit content, you're basically left with a highly acidic substance swirling around your mouth, thinning your enamel. Once enamel has been damaged, it cannot be replaced. It has been suggested that the increased stress that comes along with being on such a restrictive diet can also make you more likely to grind your teeth.

Reduced calories also have an effect on your insulin levels, causing them to spike. These fluctuations damage the structure of your collagen fibers. These fibers play a pivotal role in keeping your teeth firmly in place. As the fibers weaken, your teeth could actually fall out, causing you to lose much more than weight.

Don't let a fad diet have a negative effect on both your physical and oral health. If you have a goal to lose weight, go about it a safe way. If you suspect damage from a fad diet, don't hesitate to contact a dental provider like Michael C. Cordora DDS, PLLC.

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