If you've yet to start your bid for that perfect beach body this summer, take note: fad diets could damage your teeth.
So while the raw food diet and a low-carb plan may promise glossy hair, energy boosts, and weight loss, a new report from Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director at dental and orthodontic practice, elleven, reveals the diets du jour could play havoc with your oral health.
While celebrities including Rosie Huntington Whitely and Jessica Alba have attributed their physiques to the juice diet, following this low calorie diet could be affecting your gums, the enamel of your teeth and causing cavities.
SEE ALSO:
Why Adopting The Vegan Diet Is Harder Than You Think
Health Experts Rank 32 Of The Best And Worst Diets For 2014
What Is The Clay Diet? Benefits And Risks Of The Newest Detox Trend
Fruit and vegetables contain healthy acids, but this is only the case if they are eaten as a whole, rather than as a concentrated juice, while their natural sugar and fructose is a common cause of cavities.
So, if you're following the juice cleanse, make sure you drink through a straw.
The 5:2 diet and low-carb, high protein plan may have proved popular with Beyonce and supermodel Miranda Kerr, but Dr Patel has warned that it can cause bad breath - and no amount of flossing and brushing will combat the smell.
So, think twice before cutting out the carbs completely.
While mixing sachets of powder into milkshakes may have had an image problem in the past, they have recently grown in popularity. However, the high sugar content can result in tooth delay and cavities.
If you are going to try this diet, try rinsing your mouth with water afterwards or chewing some sugar-free gum.
Similarly, meal replacements tend to Taking out the fat and replacing it with extra sugar and salt (to boost flavour) can be extremely damaging to your teeth and lead to tooth decay. Try cooking low calorie meals from scratch or swapping your coffee for a cup of green tea to control inflammation and fight bacterial infection.
Although sticking to raw foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds sounds like the healthiest option, even natural sugars can cause cavities. Nuts and seeds can also get stuck between teeth, making it easier for bacteria to build up. Try flossing or chewing sugar-free gum.