Dental experts warn fruit juice and smoothies aren’t as healthy as they seem
Parents have been urged to limit the amount of sugary drinks given to children after dentists discovered that 31% of pupils show signs of tooth decay. The figures were revealed by Cherrybank Dental Spa, who believe juices and smoothies are to blame for a rise in dental problems among kids aged two to five.
Unsweetened fruit drinks count towards one portion of the recommended five-a-day, but experts say that crushing the fruit releases sugars which damage the teeth more than eating fruit whole.
When you drink anything sugary, your teeth are attacked by acid that reacts with bacteria and wears away the enamel.
Lauren Long, dental hygienist at Cherrybank Dental Spa in Edinburgh, said that “Parents perceive fruit pouches as being healthy but they are a big source of childhood tooth decay as the way they are consumed means the teeth are in contact with sugar for a long time.”
She continued to say that “The message we try to get across to parents is that even natural sugar is still sugar and should ideally be eaten at mealtimes to minimise the effect on the teeth.”
“Milk, cheese and water are good snacks for between meals as they are low acidity and will not cause any harm to the teeth,” she elaborated. “Brushing your child’s teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and six-monthly trips to the dentist is what we recommend for healthy teeth and gums.”
Drinks and snacks which are considered by dentists to have high erosion potential include fruit juice, yogurt, apples, sparkling water, and dried fruit.
