As cold, refreshing, and usually fruit-flavored beverages, smoothies have gained a lot of popularity as a tasty and healthy addition to the traditional summer beverage lineup. However, your San Jose dentist, Dr. LaFrom, warns that fruit smoothies and juices may not be as beneficial to your teeth as they claim to be for the rest of your wellbeing. Before repeatedly consuming smoothies, or giving them to your children, find out how they may prove detrimental to the health and beauty of your smile.
Sugar & Acid Cocktails
While simply having “fruit” in the title can automatically conjure thoughts of health and fitness, fruit juices and smoothies are chockfull of ingredients that can excessively wear down and damage your teeth. Most people are aware that consuming too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Along with other carbohydrates, sugar feeds some of the oral bacteria that contribute to plaque, which convert it into acids that can erode your tooth enamel. Combined with the considerable amount of acid that these fruit juices and smoothies already contain, bacterial acid can quickly weaken your teeth, making them susceptible to decay and structural damage.
The Power of the pH Scale
The pH scale is a measurement used to determine if a substance is acidic or basic, and to what degree. Ranging from 0 to 14, the scale is divided at seven, which is neutral, and the lower a substance’s rating, the more acidic it is. A healthy mouth typically remains at or above 5.5 on the pH scale. Once it drops below that level, your saliva can become acidic enough to begin damaging the structure of your teeth. According to one study, fruit juices and smoothies had an average pH level of two or three, and when constantly introduced to your teeth, they can significantly increase your mouth’s acidity.
Protect Your Teeth with Help from Your San Jose Dentist
Like saliva, water has a pH level of seven, and like other neutral substances, has a tendency to dilute other substances toward a neutral level. To help offset the negative effects of fruit juices and smoothies, be sure to drink plenty of water, especially after finishing a fruit beverage. To learn more, schedule a dental consultation with your San Jose dentist by calling LaFrom Dentistry at (408) 996-8595. Located in the 95014 area, we proudly serve patients from San Jose, Saratoga, Campbell, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley, and the surrounding communities.
