The Betrayal of the Supposedly Healthy Plant-Based Diet... It May Harm This

"Phytoliths" in Plants Affect Enamel Wear

A recent study has found that a plant-based diet may actually have a negative impact on dental health. This is because microscopic particles found in plants can wear down tooth enamel.

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According to a recent report by Newsweek in the United States, researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain published their findings on July 2 in the Royal Society Interface Journal (RSIF), stating that a plant-based diet can have a harmful effect on tooth enamel.

Enamel is the layer that covers the innermost dentin and nerve tissue (pulp) of the tooth, serving to protect teeth from external stimuli. Enamel is the hardest part of the human body, possessing a structure even stronger than bone or steel.

However, enamel is also highly brittle and can be easily damaged by oral bacteria, plaque, and acidic substances. It can also be worn down by the mechanical action of chewing food.

The researchers conducted an experiment in which they placed plant phytoliths, which are present in plant cells, into artificial leaves and then rubbed them against human teeth. Phytoliths are microscopic silica (sand component) particles found in plant cells.

The results showed that these fine particles intensified enamel wear and caused mineral loss, especially in teeth that were already damaged.

The main form of enamel damage is not 'cracking' but rather 'quasi-plastic deformation,' a phenomenon in which microcracks and movement occur within the rod-like structures that make up enamel. This does not break the tooth but weakens it and causes permanent structural changes.

During the experiment, it was also confirmed that the phytolith particles themselves were worn down and broken.

Enamel is composed of calcium, phosphorus, water, and protein, forming a protective layer for the teeth. When enamel is eroded, teeth become more susceptible to cavities, more sensitive to temperature changes or sweetness, and more prone to staining. According to the Cleveland Clinic in the United States, cavities in their early stages can be treated, but once enamel is damaged, it cannot be reversed or regenerated. Lost enamel can only be protected from further damage with treatments such as crowns that cover the entire tooth.

The best way to protect enamel is prevention. It is important to brush daily with toothpaste containing sodium fluoride (fluoride), use a soft toothbrush, and floss. When drinking acidic beverages, using a straw to minimize contact with teeth is recommended. In addition, wearing a mouth guard while sleeping can help prevent wear if you grind your teeth at night.