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A study published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that vegetarians are much more likely to suffer from tooth decay, lower (more acidic) salivary pH levels, and lower stimulated saliva flow than control subjects that were matched by sex and age. In addition, plant-based diets pose a greater risk for fractures according to a related, peer-reviewed study of over 55,000 people.
Specifically, the study found that those who consumed a vegetarian diet were:
…much more likely than age- and sex-matched controls to have dental erosions on some tooth surfaces, lower salivary pH levels, and lower stimulated saliva flow. (1)
Conclusions from the study found that:
The rate of flow of saliva and consumption of vinegar-containing foods, citrus fruits, and acid berries was associated with the dental erosions noted. Diets that are excessively high in fruit juices were also found to erode dental enamel. (1)
The study confirms what Dr. Weston A. Price DDS in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, discovered on his 10-year journey around the world studying isolated, traditional societies still untouched by what he termed “the displacing foods of modern commerce.”
Dr. Price found that indigenous vegetarian cultures suffered from tooth decay at a higher rate than either the omnivore or the almost completely carnivorous cultures he studied.
The published study concluded that eating a vegetarian or vegan diet does not in any way impart a dental health advantage over non-vegetarians. Criticisms of What The Health, the pro-vegan documentary, reveal similarly ignored research.
The baloney-based claims in the book Blue Zones and the vegan bible The China Study are similarly misguided with shocking factual oversights, omissions, and data fudging.
Tooth Decay Signals Poor Immunity and Nutrient Deficiencies
Tooth decay is an indication of lowered immune function and a higher susceptibility to degenerative disease in general. Ever heard of the term “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? This refers to the well known historical practice of examining a horse’s teeth and gums to assess overall health elsewhere in the body.
People can similarly assess their level of general health and whether it is improving or declining by observing the health of their teeth and gums.
Rami Nagel, author of the book Cure Tooth Decay, states that the dentinal-fluid transport mechanism is how the body controls the rate of tooth decay including whether or not it occurs at all. When tooth decay is present, Mr. Nagel says this is a sign that blood sugar levels are askew and that certain critical nutrients such as the fat-soluble activators A, D, and K2 are lacking in the diet.
Vegetarian diets are typically much higher in grains and sugars (from fruit) than non-vegetarians, and when the body senses too much sugar at one time, this can initiate demineralization of the teeth. Ever noticed how your teeth can get a bit sensitive for a period of time after a very sugary dessert or a day that included too many grain-based foods and treats?
If you are vegetarian and have noted a problem with dental decay, incorporating grass-fed meats, raw grass-fed dairy, wild seafood, and high vitamin cod liver oil into your diet will introduce the critical nutrients that are necessary to reverse caries and prevent further problems.
Moreover, whenever sweet foods such as fruit are consumed, they should always be eaten in the presence of healthy fat like cream to maintain stable blood sugar and not disrupt the body’s ability to transport minerals.
Reference and More Information
(1) The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 27 Dec 2011, 712-738
I haven’t eaten meat in 3 and a half years (although I still eat fresh fish a couple times a month, so I’m not a pure vegetarian) and my dental check-ups have never been better! I actually had a routine cleaning/exam this morning and the dentist said my teeth looked perfect (I used to get cavities pretty often when I ate meat). I stick to mostly fresh, local, organic produce and lots of nutritious beans and avoid refined carbs and unfermented soy products. For grains, I mostly eat rice, quinoa (a seed), millet, teff, and corn. I use sprouted grain flour when I bake and soak/sprout grains whenever possible and eat very little sugar (using raw local honey, maple syrup, and dates to sweeten things occasionally). I eat grass-fed cheese and yogurt and consume most of my fruit with oatmeal or in smoothies with flax and/or chia seeds and/or yogurt and/or nuts (through a straw!). During my routine physicals, my doctor always comments on how wonderful my bloodwork is (especially compared to 4 years ago!), and I take the right mix of supplements (a whole food multi, B12, D, and clinical grade liquid Omega 3s). I’ve never felt better!
You’ve dropped refined carbs, it looks like you are avoiding wheat and you are getting enough eggs and dairy (grass-fed, no less) that it helps make up for the lack of meat.
Now try keeping healthy teeth as a vegan.
i haven’ had any cavities develop since becoming vegan.
Here’s a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showing how vegetarian diets can… http://t.co/7ZN6ugVz
I can hear vegetarians out there, screaming in outrage. Great article.
I love the name of your blog, by the way!
This is ONE vegetarian who’s not screaming at all! I’m in my 40’s and have zero fillings and zero cavities! Can YOU make that claim? Or are you screaming, in pain with your own cavities?
I read the entire study and there was no listed empirical evidence showing that vegetarians had worse teeth. It simply stated that vegetarians eat foods that can cause decay and then stated that children on a macrobiotic vegetarian diet showed no difference as compared to omnivores.
I question if Sarah even read the study. Also, it was published in 1988, so it is nothing new!
Another reason not to be a vegetarian..
A study published this week in the peer reviewed medical journal, The… http://t.co/M2m6ITFB
True, whenever I start consuming sweets again I can feel my teeth hurting. Few people would relate this to diet and would probably think they have cavities without ever wondering what caused the cavities.
I find studies like this one that actually confirm actual anthropological evidence such as what Dr. Price found on his travels to be most compelling. When science verifies what traditional societies practiced it is to be ignored at one’s own peril.
In other words, there is zero anthropological evidence that vegetarians have less heart problems!
Here is a good link to read. It basically re-inforces what you have stated.
http://www.fathead-movie.com/index.php/2010/08/24/to-the-vegetarian-evangelists/
Great article! I’m starting to wonder if tooth decay and mouth health is directly related to the microbes in our gut? If we have gut dysbosis, aren’t those same microbes also reflected in our mouth? Just my theory. . .I have no real science on this point.
I think you’re absolutely right.
Very true. After indulging in less healthy foods over the holidays, including more bread than normal and sweets/chocolates, I can feel 2 sensitive spots in my mouth that were not there 2 weeks ago. I need to throw the leftovers of all that junk out!
A new study reveals vegetarians are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. Has eating Paleo improved your… http://t.co/bugs8Yu5
Good article except for one point. The reason you check a horses teeth is to check it’s age, not for a general health assessment.