Parental dental tips

As summer comes to an end, many people look for healthy eating initiatives to help them get through the cold, winter months without eating excess amounts of comfort food. As a person who does not want to put on weight this winter, there are plenty of diets available online and in bookstores to help you achieve this goal. However, it is important you consider your dental health as well as your body health when you choose a new way of eating. Consider how these two popular weight loss regimes can negatively impact your oral health before you start changing your diet.

Keto Diet

The keto diet is a low carb, medium protein and high healthy fats eating choice that millions of people follow. When you enter a state of ketosis, which is achieved by eating 20g net carbs or less per day, the body burns fat for energy instead of sugar. While it sounds like a great way to lose weight, there is a dental downside to this diet.

Ketosis brings with it bad breath. This is because of the ketone chemicals that are released during the process. These chemicals can make your breath smell bad, and no amount of brushing or flossing will eradicate the issue. Don't follow the keto diet if you don't want to cope with stinky breath, or if you work in a profession where bad breath could impact negatively on your interaction with others.

Lemon Juice Morning Detox

A popular weight loss tip being passed around the internet is the encouragement to start your morning with a glass of warm water combined with lemon juice. The theory behind this morning detox drink is it will kickstart your metabolism and fire up your body to burn off calories during the day ahead.

Whether this detox drink actually does lead to a flatter stomach is up for debate, but what is a proven issue is the effect the acidity in the lemon juice has on the enamel of your teeth. Enamel erosion occurs when the acid from the juice attacks the dental enamel of your teeth. As the enamel erodes away, you are left with exposed nerves and pain. If you do wish to try the morning lemon juice detox, drink it through a straw so the juice flows past the teeth into the mouth without coming into contact with the enamel.

These are just two oral issues that occur when you change your diet in favour of weight loss. Before embarking on any future dietary change endeavours, discuss your potential food choices with your dentist to make sure that dental damage is not a side effect of your new eating regime.