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Are Fruits Bad for Your Teeth?

Many people believe that fruit is harmful to your teeth. This is due to the high sugar content of these fruits, which is bad for your teeth. However, because of their calcium content, some fruits are beneficial to your teeth.

In this blog, we’ll look at how fruit sugars affect your teeth and how you can enjoy the benefits of fruit without causing harm to your teeth. Click here to book an appointment today.

Are Fruits Bad for Your Teeth?

What Effects Do Fruit Sugars and Acid Have On The Teeth?

In addition to a wide range of health-promoting vitamins and minerals, Fruits also contain natural sugars and acids, both of which can harm our teeth.

Sugar can linger on the tooth’s surface, contributing to the growth of bacteria. This bacteria can wear down the enamel, the tooth’s protective layer, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Meanwhile, the acid found in fruits like pineapples, grapes, and oranges can soften the enamel and cause it to erode.

Enamel erosion in teeth signs include:

  • Cracking
  • Sensitivity increased
  • Discolouration
  • Rounded teeth
  • Transparency

How To Eat Fruits Without Harming Your Teeth

Is fruit bad for your teeth based on what we know about sugar and acid? Well, that depends if you only overeat certain types of fruit. However, You can also take simple measures to reduce the effects of sugar and acid on your teeth.

Fruits with low acidity and sugar content, such as berries, peaches, and apples, will provide you with plenty of vitamins and antioxidants without causing damage to your tooth’s enamel. But fruits that are extremely sweet or sour, such as pineapple or mango, should be consumed in moderation.

After eating sweet fruits, it’s advisable to rinse your mouth with water to remove any sugar that has remained on the teeth’s surface.

Which fruits have the highest levels of acidity?

In no particular order, the most acidic fruits are:

  • Grapes
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Mangos
  • Pomegranates
  • Pineapples
  • Grapefruits
  • Oranges

Which Is Better For Your Teeth: Eating Fruit or Drinking Fruit Juice?

There’s no doubt that eating whole fruit rather than drinking fruit juice is the best option for your teeth when it comes to fruit consumption.

Whether pre-packaged or freshly squeezed, fruit juice tends to be higher in sugar and acid and lower in the healthy fibre that fills you up and benefits your body.

Drinking fruit juice through a straw is a good idea, and then rinsing your mouth with water helps neutralize PH levels in the mouth and dilute any leftover sugar.

Isn’t Fruit Juice a Natural Ingredient?

It’s important to always remember that “natural” is not equivalent to “good.” Many natural ingredients, such as plants and minerals, are extremely toxic. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume or use.

Fruit juice, even with that understanding, isn’t natural. It’s food that has been processed. The pulp, rind, skin, seeds, and other parts of the natural fruit have been removed to concentrate the sugary juice, which has upset the natural food balance. In addition, when we process fruit, we lose many of the essential nutrients found in the whole fruit. And the result is far less beneficial to our teeth.

An orange, for example, contains fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, protein, and calcium. However, squeezing the juice removes 91% of the fibre, 17% of the vitamin C, 33% of the protein, and nearly all of the calcium and vitamin B6. However, you keep 78% of the sugar. When you compare one orange (45 calories, 9 grams of sugar) to one cup of orange juice, the difference is even greater (8 ounces, 110 Calories, 21 g of sugar).

Conclusion

Fruits are beneficial to your health in many ways, but the acidity in fruits can be harmful to your teeth. It’s a good practice to always rinse your mouth after eating a piece of fruit if you have acid reflux. The acidity will be less likely to eat away at your teeth and cause decay due to this. Fruits can be a healthy part of anyone’s diet, but make sure to balance it out with other foods like vegetables and proteins to help protect your teeth. 

 

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