Fasting over extended periods of time may have a substantial effect on the body, regardless of whether you are doing it for health or for religious or spiritual reasons.
The popularity of IF is mainly due to its ease of use. What about the prospect of shedding pounds and improving one’s health without calorie counting or specific meal preparation is unappealing? IF places constraints on when you eat rather than on what you may consume. Your body absorbs all available calories and begins to burn stored fat for energy when you take your meals at regular intervals and allow adequate time to pass between them.
However, have you ever considered how going without food can affect your teeth? We’ll disclose how and if there’s any link between intermittent fasting and dental health. Along with addressing other often-asked issues on the subject, we’ll discover whether fasting might be beneficial for your teeth.
Does Fasting Benefit Dental Health?
If you were thinking about “How to improve dental health?” IF might be the answer you’re seeking. For instance, it is well recognized that tooth decay and cavities are greatly facilitated by frequent snacking, especially on foods high in sugar or carbohydrates. You might lower your chance of developing these dental health issues by eating less frequently. Intermittent fasting may potentially lessen inflammation and the risk of gum disease, according to a preliminary study.
The situation is complicated by the fact that fasting can also cause dehydration, which might reduce salivation. This may result in a variety of dental issues, such as tooth decay and foul breath. Additionally, fasting may occasionally result in tooth discomfort and bleeding gums. Continue reading to learn more.
What Are The Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting For Your Oral Health?
The eating plan is related to several advantages, including increased cognitive function and a lowered risk of heart disease owing to reduced inflammation, in addition to helping people maintain a healthy weight. Meanwhile, it has distinct good effects on the dieters’ oral health. Here are a few examples:
1. Less bacterial assaults
In meals and beverages, you often eat throughout the day, chemicals like sugar encourage the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Less frequent eating and prolonged fasting from meals prevent the growth of dangerous mouth germs. It indicates that you are stopping the development of oral bacteria, which prevents the development of cavities and gum problems.
2. Control the pH Level of your saliva
Saliva helps us in lots of ways, including destroying dangerous bacteria, balancing the mouth’s acidic environment, moistening our mouths, etc. The pH balance and acidity of saliva are compromised by the acidic ingredients in some meals and beverages.
It means that cutting less on your food intake will result in lower oral acid levels. Additionally, you should increase your water intake when dieting. One of the intermittent fasting health benefits is it assists in balancing and controlling the pH of the saliva. As a result, you are less likely to experience dental issues including cavities caused by acidic saliva, bad breath, dry mouth, and oral dryness.
3. The Human Microbiome
There are often an equal amount of beneficial and toxic microbes in human microbiomes. When calorie intake exceeds calorie expenditure, the microbiota is out of equilibrium.
In such circumstances, the immunological and digestive systems will be compromised, which will encourage bacterial overgrowth. Diabetes, gum disorders, etc. are caused by it. The ecology of bacteria is kept balanced when your body is accustomed to the same ratio of eating and fasting.
Some Disappointing Side Effects of Intermittent Fasting
Some people may experience a drop in saliva production during fasting, which can lead to poor breath. While there are other possible causes of halitosis, fasting makes it worse. So, be sure to let your dentist know if you experience particularly terrible breath. Other issues could include jaw clenching brought on by your jaw simulating the process of eating when you’re fasting. Teeth grinding, rigid jaws, and toothaches are all effects of jaw clenching.
Why Do My Teeth Hurt When Fasting?
You’re not the only one who has had hurting teeth when fasting. Many people clench their jaws while they are fasting, which can cause dental pain. This could be the case since going without food leads your body to produce more cortisol, which is known to be one of the key stress-related factors in teeth grinding and jaw clenching. The use of relaxation practices, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing, may be beneficial. It is advised to get counsel from a dentist if you are worried about your teeth grinding.
To Sum Up,
Intermittent fasting is gaining more supporters, much like the keto diet, paleo diet, vegan diet, and other weight reduction diet plans. It does not compel our bodies to go long stretches without food. but reduce our calorie consumption. Apart from overall health benefits, intermittent fasting, and dental health also goes hand in hand.
To maintain your body weight while following this calorie restriction strategy, keep up your dental hygiene practice. Although it protects your mouth cavity, it is ineffective as a substitute for regular oral care.
