Health concerns about fat and cholesterol, among other reasons, have prompted many people to become vegetarians. While a vegetarian diet can have great overall health benefits, vegetarians need to be aware of how this lifestyle choice can affect their oral health. By eliminating certain food groups, vegetarians can risk missing out on some key nutrients that are essential for good oral health.

Should vegetarians be concerned about oral health is a common question

Some adult vegetarians are knowledgeable about nutrition and maintain healthy diets by consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes to get the nutrients they need. But according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an adult eating a vegetarian diet for a prolonged period of time can be at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease from a lack of vitamin D and calcium.

A lack of vitamin D and calcium can cause teeth to soften over time, which makes them more susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease. However, vitamin D is produced naturally in the body with sun exposure, so deficiencies are rare. Deficiencies in calcium are more common but can be easily remedied with the proper diet.

The potential for nutritional deficiencies is greatest among children and teenagers who decide to become vegetarians without knowing enough about their nutritional needs. Also, some vegetarians – especially vegans, who do not consume any food of animal origin – are at risk for nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B2 and vitamin B12 as well as calcium and vitamin D, according to the AGD.

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