Dentist’s Warning On Smoothies And Juices

British dentists are giving warnings about smoothies and juices. The statistics on dental decay are pretty shocking.

Warnings Against Smoothies and Juices

Top dentists are giving warnings against juice and smoothies, saying that health-conscious parents are letting their children’s teeth rot by giving them too many juice drinks.

Dental problems have become the third most common reason for children to be admitted to British hospital. Wow!

An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph newspaper examined the acid levels of popular drinks, including one found to be more acidic than vinegar. 

Manufacturers are required to publish information about the nutritional content of drinks on the label – but not their levels of acid, which can erode the surface of teeth making decay more likely.

Statistics on Tooth Decay in Children

The Telegraph reported that 50% of British five-year-olds now have signs of damage to their tooth enamel caused by excess acid in their diet. The combination of acid and sugar (natural or otherwise) in juice drinks meant they should be restricted to a “once-a-week treat”.

Research Results on Acids in Juice Drinks

Tooth enamel begins to be destroyed when acid levels in the mouth drop below 5.5 on the pH scale, which has 7 as neutral and 1 as strong acid.  Water has a pH of 7, and milk is just below at 6.8. Vinegar has an acidity level of 2.9.  Some of the fruit drinks tested, including Tropicana Orange Juice, Capella Pure Apple Juice, and Capri Sun’s Orange Drink all had acid levels ranging between 3.3 and 3.8.  100% juice scored as badly as “juice drinks” when mixing juice and sugar.

The most acidic beverage tested was Coca-Cola, with a pH level of 2.5, and 12.5 teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml (17.5 fluid ounces) bottle.

Safer Drinking of Smoothies and Juice

Dentists say that fruit and juice smoothies are best consumed at meal times or accompanied by something containing calcium, such as cheese to neutralize the acid. 

Coca-Cola should be avoided completely.

Have children drink water after a fruity drink to wash away some of the acid, but do not brush their teeth until at least an hour afterwards. Teeth are weakened by exposure to acid. Saliva helps restore the pH balance in the mouth.

I do not recommend juice to people of any age as it spikes the blood sugar and leaves us hungry.  This research confirms that juice and sodas don’t belong in “The Diet For Human Beings”.

This article, What to Eat On a Paleo, outlines the Primal Diet I teach for optimal nutrition.