Fruit Juice Can Harm Your Teeth?

Fruit Juice Can Harm Your Teeth?

Feb 01, 2023

Fruit juices are known for their health benefits our bodies. From them, we derive vitamin Cand antioxidants, which give our bodies a chance to prevent diseases like cancer and heart conditions. In summer, we walk around in large glasses of fruit juices to fight the heat, and some of us take a glass of it every morning as part of our breakfasts.

However, despite these amazing benefits and uses of fruit juices, we never consider their consequences. The acidity and the high sugar levels found in juices can cause damage to our teeth. Fortunately, one can protect their teeth with enamel-damaging acids found in juices. Here we are exploring how fruit juices can impact our oral health.

Fruit Juice Contains High Sugar Content

To all of us, it’s clear that sugar is bad for teeth. Fruit juices are highly concentrated in natural sugars, which can lead to cavities, weight gain, and other health issues. According to our dentist in Phoenix, after we intake fruit juices, sugar usually lingers on the teeth’s surface and causes bacteria growth. The bacteria, in turn, will produce acid, eroding the enamel and increasing the chances of tooth decay and cavities. These high amounts of sugar in our mouths can also cause plaque and gum diseases if not treated early. Signs that you are having enamel erosion:

  • Cracking
  • Discoloration due to exposed dentin
  • Increased sensitivity
  • Transparency
  • Rounded teeth

They are Highly Acidic

Although it is not recommended, most of us use our teeth to open sachets and bottles. This is mostly because we think our teeth are impossibly strong. However, our tooth’s enamel is more fragile than we imagine. The enamel is the outer layer of our teeth. It is made of dead cells packed together to protect our teeth. Acids can soften and erode the enamel exposing the internal parts of the teeth. They also reduce the ability of the saliva to repair the teeth by stealing away calcium ions.

While we usually blame carbonated drinks for tooth decay or enamel erosion, fruit juices can also be highly acidic. For example, fruit juices like lemon, cranberry, and orange are more acidic than vinegar. Orange juices have a PH that ranges from 3.5 to 4.0, below the acidic level of 5.5, when the tooth enamel begins to break down. And because of this, you’d assume the difference between these levels isn’t worth noting. But, unfortunately, the PH is a logarithmic scale in which each point of the PH is ten times more acidic.

Protecting Your Teeth

Are you looking for alternatives to trade your fruit juices with? Start by lowering your consumption of carbonated drinks, sports sodas, wine, or coffee. Then adapt enamel-friendly beverages like milk, water, and vegetable juice. Other ways to protect your teeth include:

  • EatWhole Fruits. For your meals, let the fruits come in servings. Additionally, you gain maximum vitamins, fiber, and minerals if you eat your fruit and don’t drink it.
  • Take Fruit Juices as Treats. In every meal, you don’t have to take fruit juice as an accompaniment. However, it would help if you didn’t consider it a part of your workout routine. So take fruit juices once in a while.
  • Take Water After. Sugars and acids from fruit juices linger in the mouth for a while after consumption, and this can damage your teeth for hours. To protect your teeth from damage, take some water after fruit juice. Water will dilute the acids and sugar and normalize your mouth’s PH.
  • Don’t Brush your TeethImmediately After. While it may seem better to brush your teeth immediately, at ESP Dental, we advise brushing at least 20 minutes after drinking acidic beverages. The reason is that the acid in the fruit juices weakens the enamel and causes sensitivity. Brushing right away could also further cause discoloration.
  • Mix the Fruit Juice with Water. Dilute the juice with water to reduce acid and sugar concentration. For example, for a half cup of fruit juice, mix it up with a half cup of water.

Conclusion

Overall, just because something is referred to as natural, it isn’t automatically good. There are a lot of natural plant-based ingredients and minerals that can be highly toxic. Take home dental prevention tips if you decide to have a cup of fruit juice now and then. Additionally, visit a dental office near you for regular dental check-ups.