Intermittent fasting is a trend many Midtown professionals practice to achieve their health goals. Some of the expected results of intermittent fasting include weight loss, reduced belly fat and inflammation, improved insulin resistance and blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and optimized gut health.
However, it is critical to understand that intermittent fasting, along with other dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle changes, can affect your oral health. In this blog, we examine fasting’s effect on your teeth and gums, and how you can protect them while fasting.
Please note that we are not advocating intermittent fasting as a practice. Intermittent fasting carries risks such as nutrient deficiencies and is not suitable for everyone. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new health and wellness plan.
The Rise of Intermittent Fasting in Toronto’s Health Scene
Midtown Toronto is a hotbed for making business, personal, and social connections. Keeping pace with this upbeat, high-energy neighbourhood often requires looking and feeling our best. Many people believe that intermittent fasting is the gateway to these ends.
Practitioners often fast at these common intervals:
16:8
This daily pattern involves fasting for 16 hours and eating all meals within an 8-hour window.
5:2
This method allows people to eat normally for five days of the week, but significantly restricts calorie intake on the other two days
OMAD
The One Meal a Day (OMAD) protocol involves fasting for 23 hours and consuming all daily calories within a one-hour window
Regardless of which method you choose, it is vital to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong throughout the fasting period. To do that successfully, you need to understand the risks.
Intermittent fasting’s effect on your teeth and gums
Here are three critical ways that intermittent fasting can influence your oral health:
Fasting and Dry Mouth
Saliva production is your body’s natural method of washing away food particles and bacteria from your mouth. You produce less saliva while fasting because dehydration from lack of fluid intake reduces the body’s ability to create it.
Also, reduced chewing and a slower metabolism from fasting decrease the stimulation of salivary glands. A dry mouth gives cavity-causing bacteria a chance to grow.
Condensed Eating Windows Create Acid Spikes
Even when your stomach is empty, it continues to produce acid and digestive juices. Without food to neutralize this acid, it can accumulate in the stomach and potentially flow back up into the esophagus and into your mouth.
These prolonged acid spikes can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel, increasing your risk of tooth decay and sensitivity.
Black Coffee, Tea, and “Fasting-Friendly” Drinks
Your fast may allow for a morning cup of coffee, but even this poses a risk. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can trigger acid reflux, which can wear away tooth enamel.
Along with coffee, many other “fasting-friendly beverages, such as black and herbal teas, lemon water, and apple cider vinegar, can also be high in acids, posing a risk to your enamel.
Common Dental Problems Intermittent Fasting Enthusiasts Face
Now that we know the risks, here are the potential dental problems that can ensue from intermittent fasting.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Over time, acids will wear down your tooth enamel, inhibiting its ability to protect the soft tissue inside. As a result, you may feel increased tooth sensitivity, especially when you consume something hot or cold, or when you breathe in cold air during the winter.
Gum Inflammation and Bleeding
The reduced saliva production associated with intermittent fasting can make gum tissue more fragile and prone to irritation, allowing bacteria and plaque to accumulate.
Furthermore, a lack of essential nutrients during the fasting period can weaken your gums. These situations increase the risk of gum inflammation and bleeding.
Red, swollen, or tender gums, gums that bleed when you are brushing or flossing, and persistent bad breath are all classic signs of gum irritation that, depending on the severity, should be investigated by your dentist.
Cavities Despite “Clean Eating”
Eating clean, healthy food goes hand in hand with health practices such as intermittent fasting. However, even the seemingly healthy food, such as citrus fruits and kombucha, you consume may be highly acidic, putting your teeth at risk of decay.
Additionally, be aware of hidden sugars in “wellness” products that can also impact your oral health.
Supporting Your Wellness Journey at Yonge Eglinton Dental
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, we pride ourselves not only on providing professional dental care but also on partnering with our patients to support their overall health and wellness goals.
We are always happy to answer all of your questions about how intermittent fasting or any other health care or nutrition program may affect your oral health. We can also offer sensible, reliable solutions that help protect your teeth and gums, such as fluoride treatments, or more restorative procedures, to improve your masticatory function.
Book an appointment with our Midtown Toronto team today, and let us help you enjoy a healthy, strong, beautiful smile along every step of your wellness journey!
Protect Your Teeth and Gums while Intermittent Fasting with Help from our Dentists at Yonge and Eglinton
Contact Yonge Eglinton Dental when you are ready to optimize your oral health. We will work together to ensure your teeth and gums look great and are as strong and healthy as possible. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online. We look forward to seeing you!
Are you concerned about visiting the dentist? Read about how we protect the health and safety of our patients and staff so your family can seek proper dental care with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Intermittent Fasting and Dental Health
Does black coffee break your fast or damage your teeth?
Black coffee will not break your fast metabolically, but it can harm your teeth due to its high acid content, especially if you drink coffee on an empty stomach.
Why does my mouth feel so dry when I am fasting?
Fasting reduces saliva production because chewing and eating stimulate salivary glands. Drink plenty of water during your fasting window, and consider sugar-free electrolyte drinks if dehydration persists.
Can I brush my teeth while fasting, or does toothpaste break fast?
Yes, you should absolutely brush while fasting! Toothpaste will not break your fast unless you swallow significant amounts.
Is lemon water bad for teeth during intermittent fasting?
Lemon water is highly acidic (pH 2-3) and can erode tooth enamel, especially on an empty stomach when saliva production is already reduced.
Why are my teeth more sensitive since starting intermittent fasting (IF)?
Tooth sensitivity during IF often results from reduced saliva, exposing teeth to possible damage from concentrated acidic foods during eating windows, dehydration, or aggressive brushing on weakened enamel.
Does apple cider vinegar damage teeth even if diluted?
Even diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV) is highly acidic and can erode enamel over time, especially during fasting when protective saliva is reduced.
How often should I see the dentist if I practice intermittent fasting?
Maintain the standard 6-month cleaning schedule at a minimum. If you experience sensitivity, bleeding gums, or dry mouth, schedule an additional checkup to assess any fasting-related impact.
