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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

Veganism and Dental Health: How to Keep Your Teeth Strong

Oct 8th, 2025

Going vegan has become an increasingly popular lifestyle choice in the past decade. While people have a variety of reasons for choosing a plant-based diet, many vegans tend to have one thing in common: weaker teeth than carnivores. Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or just considering the switch, here’s how to keep your teeth strong and cavity-free.

Sugar and Enamel

Many healthy diets include plenty of fruit, and vegans may eat even more than non-vegans. While your body benefits from the vitamins and minerals, your teeth may not. Sugary foods, even natural ones like fruit, can wear away enamel and cause cavities.

Your best bet? Swish a little water around your mouth after eating that peach to flush away excess sugar and protect your enamel.

Arginine and Tooth Health

Another factor affecting dental strength is an amino acid called arginine, typically found in meat, fish, and dairy. A 2015 study of salivary bacteria showed that adding arginine inhibited the growth of cavity-causing biofilms. Great news for carnivores, but what about vegans?

Vegan-friendly foods rich in arginine include:

  • Black beans
  • Soybeans
  • Toothpastes and mouthwashes enriched with arginine

Including these foods and products in your diet can help protect your teeth even on a plant-based lifestyle.

Tips for Vegans

Whatever your reason for being vegan, if you recently changed your diet or are considering a switch, consult your dentist. They can provide personalized advice on keeping your teeth healthy and strong while following a plant-based diet.

Regular dental checkups, proper brushing and flossing, and mindful eating habits are key to preventing cavities and maintaining overall oral health.

Want to keep your teeth strong on a vegan diet? Contact our office to schedule a dental visit today!

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.