Family Dentist in Moorestown Discusses Effects of Juice on Teeth

You know that soda is terrible for your teeth, but what about juice? As good parents, you think that you’re doing a good thing when you offer juice to your children instead of soda, but unfortunately, it’s just as harmful. 

 

Yes, there are many vitamins in juice, but there are also numerous downsides. 

 

Tooth Decay

 

Bacteria lead to tooth decay. While bacteria are naturally present in your mouth, you get rid of many harmful strains with regular brushing and flossing. However, bacteria thrive on sugar and carbohydrates. That’s why people who consume large amounts of sugar end up with cavities. This sugar turns into acid which literally rots away the teeth.

 

Dental experts estimate that people eat more acids than ever before, and this isn’t just from soda. If left to sit on the teeth, these acids create weak spots that turn into decay. 

 

Juices are Highly Acidic

 

To reduce the amount of acid you’re consuming, you need to look at the pH level of common juices. The lower the number is, the more acidic it is.

• Lemon Juice – 2.00 pH

• Cranberry Juice – 2.30 pH

• Grape Juice – 2.90 pH

• Grapefruit Juice – 3.00 pH

• Apple Juice – 3.33 pH

• Orange Juice – 3.69 pH

 

Clearly, none of these options is good for your dental health. The best drink you could have is water. That’s how to ensure you remain adequately hydrated without any impact on the teeth. In fact, water benefits your teeth because it increases saliva production and rinses away acids. 

 

Even sports drinks are high in acid and sugar, making them a poor option as well. If the people in your family continue to suffer from cavities, it could because of the fruit juice you’re drinking. Evaluate your drinking habits and make the change to water to encourage a healthy, beautiful smile.