Did I get cavities from being a vegetarian?!
I was just wondering if becoming a vegetarian could have given me cavities. And if it did, will it still or was it just the transitioning period? Also, will it happen again and what can I do to prevent it (ex. can I eat certain foods, take vitamins)?
Answers:
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It may be indirectly related to your diet change, but the root of it would be haphazard diet choices and not brushing, not simply being a vegetarian. If you started eating more fruits or other sugary foods in combination with less brushing, you are setting yourself up for a higher risk of cavities. The big issue is any snack food that you tend to munch on all day. Even if you're trying to eat healthy by snacking on something like say apples whenever you get hungry, it's really not that healthy.
The best example that is commonly told by dentists is comparing it to a candy bar. It actually better to eat the candy bar in one sitting, instead of slowly eating away at it throughout the day. We can handle having a one time high amount of sugar in our mouth. However, if you're constantly exposing your teeth to it even if it's just the one candy bar (fruit, etc.) you are doing more damage by spreading out when you take bites. Try to stick with less sugary foods for snacks and switch to grains for vegetables instead of fruits, or else avoid snacking throughout the day.
Nutrition background
cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth. you could try brushing more often. pretty much any food you eat can cause a cavity, not just sugary stuff.
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Well I'm a vegetarian and have been for 3 years. I don't think it caused your cavities but you may not feel well because you actually need meat. Ask your dr.
Are you getting enough calcium in your diet? Brush and floss and cut back on sugar.
It doesn't matter what you eat. You just need to brush your teeth.
no?
It's unlikely being a vegetarian gave you cavities straight off, but there are some things to watch out for.
you say you went through a period where you didn't brush twice a day. That might have contributed to your cavities in this instance, although I think there was probably some small damage there before.
As a vegetarian you may be eating more acidic foods than you used to. this may also be the case if you're snacking more. It's not wise to brush your teeth immediately after a meal or a snack because certain foods will soften the enamel on your teeth and then brushing can actually cause damage. Try not to snack before bed and leave at least an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.
I'm unaware of any specific dietary requirements that can help your teeth become more resistant to decay, but I'd ask your dentist just in case there's something I'm missing.
General knoweldge due to having a lot of fillings myself.
Probably not, although changing your diet will have had some effect on overall health, including dental health. Note that this effect could be beneficial in some areas; I don't mean to say that it's the case that the whole effect is necessarily bad.
One thing I would think about is the amount of calcium you are getting, since calcium is necessary for strong teeth. I don't see why being a vegetarian would mean that you don't get enough, but think back and make sure you are getting plenty of milk, yogurt, or other calcium-rich foods just to be safe.
The other thing I'd recommend - completely unrelated - is to use a good mouthwash to kill off bacteria after brushing since you are getting so many cavities now, regardless of what is causing the change.
