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Posted on 11/10/2019 by Neil Starr DDS PC |
 The Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, has warned of the effects diet pills may have. They may be effective at losing some weight but they weight may not be all that you lose.Problem With Diet PillsThe main problem that you encounter when you take diet pills is its effect on your salivary gland. They do a good job of killing your appetite, however, they also hinder the production of saliva. Saliva is your natural defense against bacteria. Without saliva to clean your mouth out, the diet pills make way for bacteria to grow amongst your teeth.Dry mouth is extremely common with diet aids, during this time bacteria has the freedom to coat and develop your teeth with plaque. Once this happens, the enamel begins to erode, leaving you vulnerable for cavities. Without proper saliva levels, your teeth could erode, leading to decay and possible tooth loss down the road. How to Protect Your TeethBefore beginning on any type of diet or diet aids, it's important to check with your doctor. If you have discussed it and he or she recommends them, follow up with scheduled dental visits. In the meantime, in between those visit's, there are some steps that you can take to ensure your teeth are protected. Rinse your mouth out with water repeatedly throughout the day.This will help it stay moist as well as wash out any bacteria that can be forming on your teeth. Drink lots of water and staying hydrated will help you avoid those long periods of dry mouth. Consider chewing sugar-free gum in order to trigger your saliva gland into doing its job. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; they can further cause dry mouth. When it comes to taking diet pills, you need to decide if the pros outweigh the cons before you go jump right into using them. Be sure to consider how they can affect your teeth in addition to the rest of your body. Contact our office to learn more. |
       Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC
Washington Office
1234 19th St NW #306 Washington, DC 20036 |