Fruit juices quench your thirst and help you take in much-needed nutrients. These are some of the reasons they’re a popular beverage. In 2020, orange juice consumption was at 1.92 gallons per capita—and that’s just O.J.
Though that already seems like a lot, it’s actually the lowest orange juice consumption in 20 years, a trend that has been steadily going down since 2000. Instead of being disappointing, though, the reduction of fruit juice consumption is a good thing, at least from the oral health perspective.
Why fruit juices are bad for oral health
It’s a common perception that fruit juices are healthy because they’re natural. But you have to remember that not all natural ingredients are healthy, and not all fruit juices are made of mostly natural ingredients anyway.
Most fruit juices you can buy in stores are processed, with the fruits’ pulps, skin, and rind removed, taking with them many of the vital nutrients that make fruits healthy. Worse, the juice that’s left is a lot less healthy for the teeth, leading you to more trips to the dentist.
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Fruit juices are full of sugar
Many commercially available fruit juice brands contain almost the same amount of sugar as the usual culprits, like sodas and energy drinks. In particular, grape juice has the highest sugar level among popular fruit juice flavors.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 12 ounces or a cup and a half of 100% grape juice contain 52.8 grams of carbohydrates from sugar. It’s followed by cranberry juice, 54.96 grams, and apple juice with 35.76 grams.
When you consume sugary drinks, the natural bacteria in your mouth consume them to make acids that attack your tooth’s enamel. The acid demineralizes your teeth, resulting in cavities.
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Fruit juices tend to be acidic
Speaking of acids, fruit juices also have these in abundance. Citrus juices like orange and lemonade and grape and apple juices are highly acidic, with pH levels that go as low as 3.3, way below pH 5.5, the level at which your tooth enamel begins to break down.
As such, consuming fruit juices as a regular part of your diet will erode your teeth.
How does eating fruit make a difference?
If natural fruit juices contain sugar and acid anyway, how does eating them make a difference?
The answer lies in the way you consume fruit. When you drink a glass of orange or apple juice, you’re bathing your teeth in sugar and acids. But when you’re eating them as they are, the sugar and acids are released more slowly.
Fruits are usually surrounded by fibrous structures, such as the segment walls of oranges and an apple’s skin. They help slow down the release of sugar and acid. In addition, as you chew sections of fruit, your mouth produces saliva, which further dilutes acidity.
As such, eating fruits instead of drinking them as fruit juices, is more beneficial for your oral and overall health.
Take Care of Your Oral Health
Your oral health affects your overall wellness, so it’s important to take care of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Apart from eating fruits and avoiding fruit juices, the best thing you can do is to visit your trusted dentist regularly.
At Rod W. Gore DDS, we take care of patients of all ages in Scottsdale, AZ with the help of our experienced staff and the latest equipment.
Get a free virtual consultation today.