Dental Problems for Raw Vegan ...?

Question

I've been vegan for about 4 years and my teeth have shown considerable decay since the transition. I've had one or two cavities a year despite the my sufficient brushing and flossing. I'm doing everything the dentist says, which is why I believe the problem is a nutritional imbalance. Aside from fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies, I only drink water. I don’t eat any processed foods or simple sugars, no candy, no drugs. I only eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Any help is appreciated. Thank you kindly.

Answer 1

All i know is the human mouth was designed to rip tear and chew meat. Not trying to be rude but that is what out teeth are for and all the sugars in those fruits and stuff could be very bad for your teeth. also avoid flouride it causes enamal damage. That is why the dentist tells you to use it. so you have to keep coming back. one of my bad cavities is actually getting better since i stopped using it. I brush with jason's flouride free toothpaste and use whatever flouride free organic mouthwash i feel like buying.

Oh yea you need Milk for your teeth and bones to keep them strong  because of the calcium. So lack of milk I strongly suspect is your culprit.

Answer 2

You might try some fluoride rinses daily before bed time.  Also some fruits like raisins are actually worse for your teeth than candy.  Finally, some cavities are caused by acids in your mouth.  Perhaps adjusting your diet to be a bit more alkaline would help?  Good luck!

Answer 3

It's time to make a decision. What do you want to do. If you are having a nutritional deficiency, how is the rest of your body doing? Nervous system, muscles, bones, etc.



I think that you should have yourself a complete medical physical examination including blood chemistry tests. Whatever nutrients your body is using that is not included in your diet, is coming from somewhere. The problem with your teeth is major indication that something is going terribly wrong. You should consider putting off your current diet for a while until your body can regain your normal health. Then start over again under the careful direction of a competent dietician. Forget the fad stuff as well as the hype that is connected with it and concentrate on your own health. Once gone, it's gone. Actually I'm a firm believer in a vegetarian diet. Provided of course it is done properly.

Honestly if you want to be a vegan, go right ahead. It doesn't bother me in the least. I'm a dairy farmer by the way. Non-organic.

Your very welcome sir.

Good health to you!

Answer 4

I heard that a lot of grains in the diet can cause tooth decay. I also agree that the fruits have sugar in them and you seem to be saying you eat a lot of that. I'm also not trying to be rude, but our bodies need all the nutrients from meat. Also, I highly suggest that you start drinking milk. I don't know why you are a vegan but you really need some of the things you are taking out of your diet.

Answer 5

Hi.  I'm sure that your vegan diet is just fine, as long as you do get a variety of foods.  Do you include soy milk and a variety of fruits and veggies?  Personally, I don't think it's a nutritional imbalance.  The first thing that you need to consider is your sugar/carbohydrate intake.  Make sure to brush your teeth after eating these foods.  When sugar is left in the mouth, it lowers the pH.  The bacteria in the mouth feed off of the sugar and release acids, which break down the enamel.  So the first step is to brush after eating these items.  If you are eating a lot of acidic foods, wait before brushing.  Yes, the sensodyne pronamel is a good choice.  Are you flossing at least once a day?  Also, make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.  Use a fluoride mouthrinse daily.  You could also consider switching dentists if you suspect that his opinions are wrong.  You can have your dentist prescribe a stronger fluoride toothpaste for you and also get fluoride treatments done in the office.  Cavities typically occur in younger patients and slow down as we age.  If you are doing all of these recommended procedures for your dental health, then I would be very surprised if you kept getting cavities.  Have your hygienist show you how to properly brush and floss.  Your technique could be wrong.

Answer 6

Too many nuts can cause tooth problems. So can too many acids. I avoid citrus myself. Make sure the fruit you are eating is totally ripe. Otherwise it will likely contain higher levels of acids. Dried fruit stuck in the teeth can also cause tooth problems. Are you getting enough minerals? Young coconuts are loaded with calcium. I drink 2 a day. What about sunlight?

Answer 7

ARE you doing GREENs..Green Smothies?

Victoria Boutenko talks about this problem happening to her family too.

http://www.rawfamily.com/

I see several people advising more calcium.. there is plenty in Carrot Juice.

Answer 8

Do you take any additional vitamins or minerals?

You would need at least: Calsium with vitamin D and K (teeth), Magnesium (helps Calsium absorbe better), B12 and all other vitamin B's(general health).

Fruits and vegetable juices dissolve enamel off the teeth because they are acid. I would recommend Pronamel toothpaste by Sensodyne, you can find it in almost all shops. I get mine from Boots.

ps. Change your dentist. He should have adviced you with the acid errosion when it showed the first signs.

Don't stop taking your fruits and juices. Just protect your teeth. Also, NEVER, brush right after acid foods or drinks. The acid softens the enamel and brushing immediately would cause damage more easily.

Answer 9

Well, maybe you haven't been having enough calcium. Drink soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, oat milk, or hemp milk. Make sure they are calcium fortified though.

Answer 10

It's very possible that you're not getting enough calcium, iron and protein which can lead to much bigger health problems than tooth decay and is unfortunately not very uncommon among vegans. You should be taking supplements to help with the nutrients you aren't getting.

Answer 11

A number of things can cause tooth decay. Smoothies are healthy, but high in sugar. Cut back on the sugary drinks if you are drinking them too much. Brush your teeth regularly. Good hygiene is important.

Do you have a balanced diet? Are you getting enough calcium? Here is everything you should know about calcium:

http://www.vegansociety.com/food/nutriti...

Drink fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice & eat almonds and green leafy vegetables each day. Vitamin D is made by the exposure of natural light on the skin. You don't need to worry about vitamin D deficiency unless you spend too much time indoors.

Also, speak to a nutritionist about your problem.

I hope this helps.

Answer 12

do you take supplemental vitamins? they could help

Answer 13

try talking to a nutritionalist.

i'm not really sure what you are allowed to eat and what you aren't.. but beans usually have some of the amino acids missing in plants (and present in meat).. umm.. maybe u need vitamin D or calcium.