As we kick off the New Year, many of us set resolutions to improve our health and shed the extra pounds accumulated during the cozy winter months. It’s the perfect time to get our bodies ready not just for summer but for a healthier lifestyle throughout the year. Unfortunately, the fad diets that can seem like a quick fix to drop a few pounds can be damaging to our health. It might surprise you to learn that your teeth are at risk, too – especially with keto teeth sensitivity!
Diets that are currently in the headlines and discussed in detail on social media – such as the Keto, Paleo, and Whole 30 diets – tend to have one thing in common. The “science” behind the plans requires the elimination of certain food groups to spark reactions that lead to weight loss.
Keto
The ketogenic diet (keto for short) is an ultra-low carb plan that is comprised of calories from about 80 percent fat, 15 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates. The goal is to put the body into a state of ketosis where it burns it burns fat for energy. When in ketosis, the body produces ketones which include acetone, the same chemical found in nail polish remover. The result it “keto breath” which is bad breath on steroids! Another side effect of ketosis is the keto teeth sensitivity where long term, it can lead to signs of oral health problems.. This includes bone erosion, including the jaw bone, which is an anchor for teeth, because dieters tend to reduce calcium consumption.
Whole30
This plan requires dieters to eliminates all sugar, sweeteners, grains, legumes, dairy and alcohol for 30 days. Long-term the plan encourages only eating healthy, unprocessed “whole” foods. Sounds pretty good, right? But most dieters fall off the wagon hard and binge on foods from the restricted list, loading up on sugary treats. Similar to the keto plan, Whole30 is very low in calcium and can affect teeth and bone health. As teeth weaken, they become more sensitive to hot and cold sensations.
Paleo
This plan is also known as the Caveman Diet because it focuses on foods our ancestors could have hunted and gathered. This includes animal protein, seafood, vegetables and fruit. The Caveman Diet excludes all other food groups, like grains and dairy products. Restricting critical nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D combined with high intake levels of red meat and fat can result in bone and teeth deterioration and heart problems.
The moral of the story is that for a fit body and good oral health (avoiding situations like keto teeth sensitivity), it is important to eat food from the entire food pyramid. We all know that sugar damages teeth. But occasional treats are acceptable and may actually help people maintain balanced diets over the course of their lives because they do not feel deprived.
