What Does the Keto Diet Do for Your Oral Health?

The keto diet is one of the latest dieting trends to offer Americans a slimmer figure. Proponents say that by eliminating most carbs from a person’s diet, their body will have nothing to burn for energy but fat, leading to a slimmer figure. While this sounds great for many people, others might wonder what effects this diet might have on their oral health. Here’s a brief guide about what can happen to your teeth because of the keto diet.

No Carbs Means No Sugar

The keto diet involves eliminating most carbs from the menu while allowing for more fats. This means practitioners can enjoy all sorts of fish, meat, cheese, nuts, and low-carb veggies. What this does for your dental health is remove almost all sugars from your food intake. Without this sugar, the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease will have nothing to feed upon, limiting their reproduction and preventing harmful infections.

Keto Breath Isn’t the Best

While eliminating sugar might have your dentist jumping for joy, the diet does have an unfortunate oral side effect. The keto diet works by putting the body in a state of ketosis, during which fat is burned for energy instead of sugar. This process releases ketones, which can be smelled on the practitioner’s breath. These chemicals have a fruity or acetone smell, and while this smell won’t technically cause any oral health problems, nobody wants to walk around with a strange smell on their breath.

How Can Keto Breath Be Prevented?

Keto breath can be prevented by a few common-sense oral hygiene measures. The first step is to drink plenty of water, which will promote healthy saliva flow and help wash your mouth clean of compounds that can leave a funny smell on your breath. You should also keep on top of an excellent oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day. If you’re trying the keto diet, it’s a great idea to brush your teeth after every meal.

The keto diet can provide significant benefits for your oral health if you take care of your smile while practicing it. By keeping your teeth healthy, you can ensure that you have a shiny smile to match your slim figure.

About the Practice

Dental Expressions delivers the best dental healthcare available in Freedom, WI. Led by Drs. Robert and Heather Heil, the staff ensures that each customer receives compassionate service and effective treatments. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information about eating for healthy teeth, contact the office online or dial (920) 788-6280.