Fruit Juice and Tooth Decay

 

Fruit juice seems like the perfect healthy drink for your kids, right? This all-natural beverage may seem like the best choice for your kids to enjoy as opposed to soda or caffeinated drinks. But, fruit drinks are also a major culprit for tooth decay and cavities. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, Dr. Roopi Kattaura offers expert advice on the causes and prevention of tooth decay, including advice on fruit juice.

The Dangers of Sugar

You’ve probably heard the dangers of sugar a thousand times. Sugar negatively impacts your body and your teeth are no different. After you eat junk food or sip on unhealthy drinks, harmful bacteria in your mouth like Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus feed on the sugars leftover in your saliva. These bacteria create a plaque on the surface of your teeth. They also trigger destructive acids which cause enamel erosion and tooth decay.

But, Why Fruit Juice?

Okay you know sugar is bad, but why is fruit juice dangerous for oral health. When it comes to fruit juice or any similar food, keep in mind that just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s completely healthy. Whether it’s sugar from candy or natural sugars derived from fruit, sugar is still sugar and harms your child’s teeth. Fruit juice isn’t all that healthy as well, with too much extra sugar and calories even if it’s naturally derived from just fruit. Bacteria also feed off natural sugars in your child’s mouth, leading the way for weak enamel and decay.

Treatment

Prevention is the best medicine. So the next time you pair your child’s afternoon snack with some beverage, choose water instead of juice. Of course, you don’t have to completely halt the juice intake but limit the amount of fruit juice your child consumes daily.

If your child is already experiencing dental problems from sugar, contact our Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO today. Dr. Kattaura offers a variety of treatment options and technologies including sealants, crowns, and electric handpieces to protect and repair your child’s teeth. 

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.