Viva las vegan

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  Posted by: Dental Design      2nd January 2025

In the ten years since its inception, Veganuary has achieved nationwide awareness. For many looking for a change or challenge to kick off each New Year, trying a month off animal-based products can be a great benefit to both human health and the planet.

For dental practitioners, veganism has altered the traditional way diet and oral health overlap; vegan meat alternatives have different nutrients and minerals to the ones they are mimicking, for instance. With Veganuary seeing an estimated 25 million people around the world adopting a plant-based diet for the first month in 2024, many of this number will continue with their new diet.[i] But for those wanting to try veganism and those who already are practitioners of it, a better understanding of the oral health benefits and drawbacks is needed for a healthier and happier future.

Brilliant benefits

There are many reasons for going vegan. These could include having concerns over the environment and a deep love of animals, religious factors, curiosity and, for some, simply not enjoying the taste of meats or other animal products. Veganism is also healthier; it has been suggested that the NHS could save £6.7 billion per year if everyone in England went plant based.[ii] As such, patients who are considering or have just started a vegan diet should be supported.

An immediate oral health benefit of plant-based foods is that they are often dense in nutrients. Many vegans favour leafy greens, nuts and seeds in their meals; these are filled with teeth-strengthening minerals such as calcium and phosphorous. Similarly, the abundance of fruits and vegetables in a vegan diet are high in antioxidants, neutralising the free radicals associated with diabetes, heart disease and cancer.[iii] For patients who may be more at-risk of developing those health complications, dental practitioners should encourage a diet with an increased amount of fruit and vegetables.

The need for supplements

However, a vegan diet may have a negative impact on a patient’s oral health. Certain meats and dairy products contain essential nutrients that may be harder for vegans to access. Iron, used for the production of haemoglobin and vital for the prevention of anaemia, is mostly found in meats and fish,[iv] whilst zinc, essential for growth and immunity, is better absorbed from animal-based foods than plant-based alternatives.[v] Other nutrients that vegans may find harder to consume include vitamin B12 and omega 3 fatty acids – supplements should be recommended to maintain a healthier body and lower the risk of oral disease.[vi]

A fruitful endeavour

Some vegans may be more susceptible to enamel demineralisation and white spot lesions.[vii] This can be attributed to several factors, such as substituting animal derived products with carbohydrates that are rich in starch and sugar, and snacking. As plant-based alternatives are often less calorific than meat and dairy products, vegans may find that they snack more to meet the recommended daily calorie intake.vii Eating throughout the day, especially dried fruits, increases the prevalence of acids in the oral cavity, leading to demineralised tooth enamel.

Whilst fruit consumption should not be discouraged, advising patients on the connection with tooth decay is crucial. The greater intake of fruit and vegetables found in the vegan population reduces the pH of saliva, making it harder to neutralise acids, and may also be associated with a higher consumption of smoothies and juices that are filled with sugars and acids.vii To help patients in reducing the effects of fruit-related tooth decay, practitioners should encourage rinsing with water after snacking or to reduce snacking altogether by having larger meal portions.

All-round health

A consistent oral hygiene routine can further offset any oral health drawbacks of a vegan diet. The use of a CPS interdental brush from Curaprox can effectively target trapped food debris, removing it from the oral cavity and limiting the risk of tooth decay. The CPS range of interdental brushes guarantees an appropriate solution for any size of interdental space, with their ultrafine bristles and patented surgical wire able to easily clean the previously inaccessible areas. They are also eco-friendly, with only the tip needing to be changed. To better protect and educate vegans, promote a reliable oral hygiene routine.

Those who follow a vegan diet may be more motivated and health-conscious individuals. To accommodate the influx of Veganuary patients, dental practitioners must emphasise the need to be wary of some of the oral health impacts it can bring. This way, patients can get the best out of trying veganism.

 

To arrange a Practice Educational Meeting with your Curaden Development Manager please email us on sales@curaden.co.uk

For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk 

 

Andrew Turner Curaden UK Head of Marketing UK & Ireland

 

[i] Clark, D. (2024). Veganuary ‘Reaches 25 Million People’ In 2024. [online] Plant Based News. Available at: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/veganuary-signups-2024/.

[ii] OHE – Leading intellectual authority on global health economics. (2024). A switch to vegan diets could save the NHS £6.7 billion per year, new research reveals – OHE. [online] Available at: https://www.ohe.org/news/a-switch-to-vegan-diets-could-save-the-nhs-6-7-billion-per-year-new-research-reveals/.

[iii] Arnarson, A. (2019). Antioxidants Explained in Simple Terms. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antioxidants-explained#what-they-are.

[iv] Health Direct (2023). Foods High in Iron. [online] Healthdirect.gov.au. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/foods-high-in-iron.

[v] National Institutes of Health (2022). Zinc. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/.

[vi] Oral Health Foundation. (2024). Nourishing Smiles: The Intersection of Vegan Food and Oral Health. [online] Available at: https://www.dentalhealth.org/blog/vegan-food-and-oral-health [Accessed 5 Nov. 2024].

[vii] Booth, J. and Hurry, J. (2020). The impact of a vegan diet on oral health. BDJ Team, 7(7), pp.18–19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41407-020-0372-3.

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