A healthy, properly balanced diet is essential for good dental health. If you are eating a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may need to take additional steps to protect your smile. Although adult vegetarians tend to be quite knowledgeable about nutrition, children and teens that choose to go vegan can miss out on the vital nutrients their growing teeth need if they do not carefully choose their foods, which can put them at risk of dental disease.

You do not have to incorporate animal-based foods into your diet to get the nutrients you need. You simply need to eat the right fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes to ensure you are getting enough calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, protein, and other nutrients. Vitamin D is also necessary for a healthy diet. Vitamin D is made when your skin is exposed to sunlight, but some of the best sources are in animal-based foods. If you are a vegan, consider spending more time in the sun, incorporating soy, almond, and rice milk, or a fortified juice, into your diet. Vegetable margarine can also be a good option.

If you are concerned that your diet might be affecting your dental health, talking with a registered dietician can be a great option. A dietician can help you find foods that you can enjoy that also fulfill your body’s nutritional requirements. Dr. Lozada, our dentist, can also recommend specific foods to incorporate into your daily meal plan.

Call us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lozada.

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