Protecting your smile on a vegan diet

Calcium

As you may know, calcium is vital for maintaining healthy teeth, gums and bones. It also helps strengthen the tooth enamel (the thin outer shell of the tooth).

Non-vegan calcium-rich foods include cheese, milk and yoghurt. For vegans, good sources include:

• Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale and okra
• Pulses, almonds, chia seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds
• Unsweetened oat, rice, soya and nut drinks which have been fortified. This means they’ve had nutrients added to them that don’t occur naturally
• Calcium-fortified tofu
• Tahini
• Oranges and dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, figs and apricots

  - although you should consume these in moderation as they can contain a lot of sugar

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb phosphates and calcium from food, which we need to keep our teeth, bones and muscles healthy. It also helps keep our immune system in working order, which fights off disease and infection.

On a vegan diet, you can get your Vitamin D intake through the following:

• Vitamin D-fortified food and drinks including cereals, fat spreads and unsweetened milk drinks
• Mushrooms
• Exposure to sunlight
• Vitamin D supplements – In the UK, taking supplements is advised from at least October through to March. However, these aren’t all vegan-friendly so make sure you check the label

Iron

An essential mineral, iron transports oxygen through the body. If your intake is too low, you may become fatigued, which can impact everything from brain function to how well your immune system can fight infections.

Iron deficiency can also show in various oral symptoms such as mouth ulcers, a burning feeling inside the mouth, a dry mouth, swollen tongue and sore cracks at the sides of your mouth.

While non-vegan sources of iron include liver and red meat, good plant sources include:

• Beans, lentils, chickpeas, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, ground linseed, cashew nuts, chia seeds and quinoa
• Fortified breakfast cereal
• Wholemeal bread
• Tofu
• Kale, figs, broccoli, spring greens, dried apricots and raisins

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is also essential to keep our bodies functioning as they should. Among its benefits, which include boosting your mood and improving bone health, it can help prevent mouth ulcers, soreness on the tongue and other oral health issues.

While Vitamin B12 is only naturally found in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, seafood and dairy products, it can also be found in the following fortified sources:

• Cereals
• Milk alternatives
• Almonds
• Yeast extracts
• Vegan spreads

Protecting your smile from sugars and acidity

No matter your diet, it’s important to keep an eye on the sugar and acid you’re consuming – which impacts your overall health, as well as your smile. Some food and drinks with high sugar levels and acidity can be prominent in vegan diets.

Here we discuss how acid and sugar affects your mouth, and offer some tips for managing this:

Acidity

Acidic food and drinks such as tomatoes, tomato-based products, oranges and lemons can wear away the protective enamel layer of our teeth. When tooth enamel weakens, it can leave the dentin (a layer under the tooth enamel) exposed and at risk of sensitivity. These effects can result in tooth discolouration and eventually tooth decay.

Top tips include:

• Eating alkaline products (such as vegan cheese) alongside or after acidic foods or drinks. This can neutralise the acidity of your saliva and protect your teeth’s enamel
• After eating acidic foods, rinsing your mouth with water will dilute the acidity
• To protect your teeth, you should always wait half an hour to an hour after eating before you brush your teeth. This is especially important after consuming acidic products, as acid softens the enamel and brushing right after will only accelerate tooth wear

Sugar levels

Sugary food and drinks are the main cause of tooth decay, as well as other health problems. Sugar is often added to various products, including flavoured/sweetened milks and yoghurts, sauces, cereals, soft drinks and canned fruit in syrups. It also naturally occurs in foods such as honey, fruit and dried fruit.

Top tips include:

• Being mindful of your sugar intake. The current advice is to keep your sugar intake at less than 10% of your total daily calories. This differs for everyone and depends on a range of factors, but it’s approximately 70g for men and 50g for women¹
• Avoiding snacking on sugary food or drinks throughout the day. If you’re going to eat something sugary, try to consume it all in one go or with a meal
• Checking the labels on supermarket packaging using the ‘traffic light system’. If something is ‘red’ for sugar content, you may want to consider

  an alternative option

• For managing your child’s sugar intake, see our blog post with handy tips

  on swapping sugary suspects with less sugary options

Vegan recipes

Looking to go vegan but not sure where to start? Check out these superb meat and dairy-free recipes which aren’t just simple to make, but will taste fantastic as part of your regular repertoire.

Vegan shepherds pie. This plant-based version of a real family favourite is perfect for those looking for a hearty vegan option. Simple to make, delicous and filling, it’s sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike.

Vegan chickpea and squash curry. Vegan dishes and Indian cuisine go hand-in-hand. This quick and easy chickpea and squash curry packs in your five-a-day and brings a mountain of flavour to your table.

Mushroom and leek risotto. Craving some classic Italian fare during Veganuary? Check out this delicious risotto, offering rustic earthy flavours that are sure to show off your culinary talents!

Get in touch to discuss your oral health

It’s important to regularly see your dentist for a dental check-up, where they can check your mouth is healthy, and for any signs of tooth decay.

As your diet can influence your oral health, we advise letting your dentist know if your diet changes.