With January marking the start of a new year, many of us are taking the opportunity to kick start new habits, make healthier choices and get back to a more familiar routine following a perhaps over-indulgent festive period.

One of the trends that has grown over recent years on the back of this is Veganuary.

Participants promise to follow a vegan diet throughout the month of January swapping out meat, eggs and dairy for plant-based alternatives.

Its popularity has driven many manufacturers and retailers to launch new food ranges and restaurants to ramp up their vegan offerings.

Often, many have the perception that opting for plant-based foods is a healthier choice that could only improve our wellbeing.

But what impact does going vegan really have on our overall health? And could it impact our oral health too?

As so often is the case, the answer to what impact it can have on our health is – ‘it depends’.

The impact going vegan can have on our health can change depending on the type and variety of foods we consume.

Studies show that an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption has a preventative effect against cancer. And eating more vegetables is also associated with a reduced risk in tooth loss and gum disease.

Fruit on the other hand contains higher levels of sugar. And fruit juices and smoothies also contain a high proportion of ‘free sugars’.

These sugars can help feed bacteria in our mouths, increasing the chance for plaque to grow. And the higher acidity of fruit and smoothies also means there is more opportunity for tooth erosion too.

‘There can be a variety of different reasons somebody might decide to go plant-based,’ Vatche Kassardjian, specialist dentist at Pond Square Dental, says.

‘What’s important when anybody changes their diet is they plan to ensure their diet is well rounded and they consult a doctor or dentist to avoid any negative impacts on their health.’

Going vegan can also affect our teeth.

Switching to a meat-free diet can alter the oral microbiome – the bacteria found in our mouths.

Research shows our oral microbiome can effect our gut and overall health too.

Green leafy vegetables contain high amounts of minerals that are good for building strong bones and teeth.

And crunchy fruit and veg can actually clean our teeth whilst chewing.

Despite this, some fruits contain high levels of sugar, which help to feed the plaque-forming bacteria in our mouths.

And sugar is often used as an additive to vegan sauces to help enhance the taste.

However, there are certain things we can do to avoid the negative impacts that might come from a meat-free diet.

These include:

• Avoid snacking – keep to meal times to avoid regular acidic attacks on your teeth
• If drinking a fruit juice, avoid citrus juices – these are more acidic – and dilute juices when possible
• Ensure drinks are either sugar free or contain no added sugar and use a straw when drinking outside of meal times
• Ensure you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Consult your dentist.

Your dentist can advise whether your diet is negatively impacting your dental health and what you can do to help improve your smile.