Effects of raw vegan diet on periodontal and dental parameters

Abstract

Objectives: Macronutrients and micronutrients present in different types of diet could influence different aspects of both inflammatory and immune responses; thereby, diets could influence oral health and the periodontal condition. The raw vegan diet is a subset of vegetarianism in which only uncooked plant-derived foods are consumed. The present study's aim was to evaluate the effect of the raw vegan diet on periodontal and dental health parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 118 participants (59 raw vegans and 59 controls) were interviewed about their level of education and oral health habits. Samples of unstimulated whole saliva were collected for pH analysis, and dental and periodontal parameters were examined. Then, statistical analysis was performed. Results: Raw vegans had better oral hygiene ( P = 0.001). The decayed-missing-filling indices were relatively equal in both groups. The probing depth, bleeding on probing (BOP), and simplified oral hygiene index were significantly lower in raw vegans ( P = 0.047, P = 0.017, and P = 0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analyses disclosed that probing depth and BOP were significantly related to debris index. Conclusion: Based on this study's results, it can be presumed that the better periodontal condition in raw vegans is a result of their better oral care and lifestyle.

The Impact of IL1B rs1143634 and DEFB1 rs11362 Variants on Periodontitis Risk in Phenylketonuria and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Latvian Population

“…For example, omnivores seem to be more prone to dental caries and eventual loss of all teeth, and they also have worse periodontal health indices when compared to vegans and vegetarians, who, in turn, are more predisposed to dental erosion due to the highly acidic nature of their nutrition [39]. Atarbashi-Moghadam and colleagues came to similar conclusions as they found that raw vegans had better periodontal health indices when compared to controls, but just like Azzola and colleagues, they emphasized that vegan participants often exhibited better oral hygiene practices and overall healthier lifestyle choices [40]. Eberhard et al found that following a semi-vegetarian high-fat diet improved periodontal health indices when compared to an omnivorous higher-fat or higher-carbohydrate diet or a semi-vegetarian higher-carbohydrate diet, implying that the consumption of less meat and carbohydrates might benefit periodontal health [41].…”

The impact of a vegetarian diet on oral health

“…Staufenbiel et al used DMFT indices in their methodology to confirm their findings of vegetarians to have more erosion. 7 Atarbashi-Moghadam et al 8 suggest a lower pH could be due to a vegetarian diet, especially raw vegans, consuming more fruits and therefore causing an acidic oral environment.…”

Periodontal Disease and Other Adverse Health Outcomes Share Risk Factors, including Dietary Factors and Vitamin D Status

“…A study conducted in Iran looked at how a raw vegan diet affected periodontal and dental variables [ 80 ]. A raw vegan diet includes only plant foods not heated above ~118 °F.…”

“…A study conducted in Iran looked at how a raw vegan diet affected periodontal and dental variables [80]. A raw vegan diet includes only plant foods not heated above ~118 • F. The cohort included 59 raw vegans and 59 controls of mean age 47 ± 14 years; all were nonsmokers.…”