Is Fruit Juice Bad For Your Teeth?

 We all know fruits are some of the healthiest foods that can be eaten as snacks or as part of meals. However, not every fruit should be eaten in large quantities or as regularly as others. This includes fruits containing excessive amounts of sugar and acid. Some people have a misconception that all fruit drinks are healthy and should be a regular part of their diets. This isn't entirely true.

Sugar is bad for our overall health but especially harmful to our teeth. The same is the case for the acids found in some fruits. Let's take a detailed look at how sugary fruit juices affect our teeth and the safe ways to consume fruits and juices.

 

Orange-juice-glass

Which Fruit Juices are Bad for Teeth?

Some fruit juices that contain an excessive amount of acids and sugars and should be consumed moderately include:

· Orange juice

· Lime juice

· Lemon juice

· Tangerine juice

· Apple juice

· Grapefruit juice

· Grape juice

· Pineapple juice

 

Also, try to avoid packaged juices. These often contain preservatives. Moreover, they also contain added sugar to make the juice taste better, especially for children. If you want to drink juice, try and drink freshly squeezed natural fruit juices.

 

Effects of Sugar on Your Teeth

Sugar is one of the most harmful substances for our teeth. The following are some of the effects sugar has on our teeth:

 

It Speeds Up Tooth Decay

Our mouth contains several different types of bacteria. Some are necessary and beneficial for our dental health. However, some are harmful. As per a study, sugar helps bad bacteria produce acid in our mouths. The more sugar we consume, the more acid is produced by bad bacteria that harm our teeth.

 

Saliva fights off the bacteria, but excessive sugar consumption produces excessive acid. As a result, saliva can't fight off the bacteria completely and allows it to wear off the shiny upper layer on our teeth, known as the enamel.

 

When the enamel wears off, cavities form, and the tooth decays.

 

It Increases the Mouth's pH Level

The two types of harmful bacteria that damage our teeth are Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans. Both of these bacteria form plaque and feed on sugar. Plaque is often not removed by brushing or flossing, creating an acidic environment in your mouth and lowering the pH level. This results in more cavities as the enamel from your teeth wears off quickly. 

 

Toothache-person

 

It Attracts Other Bad Bacteria

Sugar not only helps bad bacteria like Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans thrive, but it also attracts other bad bacteria and provides them with an ideal environment to grow. These bad bacteria can cause dental problems apart from cavities, including gingivitis, gum diseases, and more.

 

Gingivitis and other gum diseases can result in receding gums as the bacteria destroy the tissue that holds the gum to the teeth.

 

How Acids Affect Your Teeth

The enamel layer on your teeth is pretty strong but can be damaged over time if you don't take adequate care. Remineralization of enamel occurs if the mouth's pH isn't below 5.5 and the environment isn't too acidic.

 

This causes dental erosion. Some of the most common effects of dental erosion include:

Increased sensitivity

Your teeth become excessively sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks. Even cold air can result in sharp pain and tingling in your teeth when the enamel layer is damaged.

Discoloration

Your teeth will appear yellow and dull. The enamel layer keeps the teeth white, healthy, and shiny, and when it wears off, your teeth may appear discolored.

Rounded Teeth

Your teeth may wear off from the sides and get rounded over time. This is because the enamel stops the teeth from wearing off and keeps them safe.

Translucency

Your incisors, aka the front two teeth, may become translucent.

Cracks

Your teeth become weak and can crack easily when the enamel layer wears off.

 

Fruit-vegetable-juices

 

Should You Consume Fruit Juices?

As per a study, an adult drinking one or two sugar-sweetened fruit drinks has a 31% higher chance of developing a tooth cavity. Another study confirms the direct correlation between the number of sugar-sweetened fruit drinks consumed by children and the cavities developed.

 

Does this indicate you should stop consuming fruit juices? Not really. There are safe ways to consume fruit juices. Here's how you can do it:

 

Drink Fresh Fruit Juices Without Sugar

If you're a fan of fruit juices, make sure you drink them without added sugar. Additional artificial sugar is harmful to your teeth.

 

Drink Fruit Juices with Lower Acidic Quantity

Drinking fruit juices that have a lower quantity of acid is also a good option. These fruits include bananas, mangoes, coconuts, watermelons, and more.

 

Avoid Sipping on the Juices for Long

If you have a habit of taking long sips, try and drink fruit juice quickly to avoid letting sugar sit in your mouth for longer periods.

 

Use a Straw

Use a straw for drinking your fruit juice. Straws minimize the juice's contact with the teeth, reducing the chances of sugar sticking to your teeth.

 

Take the Juice with a Meal or Drink Water Afterwards

Make it a habit of taking fruit juices with your meals instead of in between them. The proteins and carbohydrates in your meal help reduce the acid and sugar damage. Moreover, drink water after consuming the fruit juice to help wash off sugar.

 

 

Dentist-patient-procedure

If you have developed cavities in your teeth, you should immediately visit a dentist and get tooth fillings to avoid them from spreading.

Looking for quality dentists in Santa Clarita? Copperhill Smiles is your best bet.

The dental clinic provides premium dental services, and its dentists offer multiple dental treatments, including general dentistry, fillings, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign treatment, and more.

Call them now to book your appointment.