How Tooth Friendly Is Fruit?

Eating fruit is good for you, but is it good for your teeth too?

Fruit is generally considered to be one of the healthier things we can eat. It contains vitamins, minerals, fibre and other nutrients, and most of us would probably benefit from eating more of it. While fruit is good for our body, this isn’t always necessarily the case for our teeth.

Fruit contains natural sugars, and many types of fruit are also acidic. Both of these things can have a potentially negative affect on the teeth. That does not mean that patients of Blue Sky Dental should stop eating fruit. Far from it. Fruit can be part of a healthy diet and there is no reason to avoid it simply because you are concerned about your teeth. It is more a question of what type of fruit you are eating, how often you eat it and how long your teeth are exposed to the sugars and acids.

Fruit and tooth decay

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in plaque use sugars found in the food that we eat,  to produce acids. These acids gradually attack and damage the tooth enamel and, over time, a cavity can develop. Although fruit sugar is entirely natural, it unfortunately has exactly the same effect.

It isn’t all bad news for fruit loving patients of our Chelmsford dental practice though. Fruit is also an important source of fibre and requires chewing. This makes it generally less concerning than food or drinks which are low in fibre and with added sugars. For example, eating an apple is not as damaging to your teeth as drinking a fizzy drink that is full of sugar. Indeed, a crispy apple can play its role in removing small food particles as it is crispy.

Acidity and fruit

Fruits that contain acids especially, will likely soften the enamel surface of the teeth. This can leave them more vulnerable to erosion whilst in this state. Among these fruits would be oranges, grapefruit and lemons, but even less citric fruits such as some berries, can have a similar effect.

So .. I can’t eat oranges any more?

Not at all. Although fruits can have a negative impact on your teeth, they are an important part of an overall healthy diet. There is no need to remove oranges, apples, berries or other nutritious fruits from your diet simply because they contain acid. What matters more is how frequently your teeth are exposed to it. Eating an orange with a meal is quite different from sucking on orange segments throughout the afternoon. The latter keeps the teeth exposed to acid for longer periods of time, not allowing time for the enamel to harden again.

The saliva that we produce helps to neutralise acids and allows the mouth to return to a normal level of acidity after eating. Leaving gaps between eating then, is a good way to keep your teeth healthier.

Is dried fruit OK?

Dried fruit can be very convenient as it doesn’t ‘go off’ quite quickly as some fruit tends to do. It is used by many people as a healthy alternative to eating sweets. On the whole though, it is probably less tooth friendly than whole fruit is. When fruit is dried, much of the water is removed and the natural sugars become concentrated. Sticky dried fruit such as raisins can also cling to the teeth and remain around them for some time. Parents often give raisins to children without being aware of the potential damage they can cause to young teeth.

Dried fruit is therefore not necessarily something you need to avoid completely, but eating it with a meal is generally preferable to snacking on it throughout the day as this leaves your teeth coated in sugars for a long period of time. It is also worth checking the ingredients of fruit-based snack products. Some contain added sugar as well as the naturally occurring sugar in the fruit.

What about fruit juices?

Fruit juice sounds like a healthy option when you need a refreshing drink, and it is. However, it is not as good for your teeth as eating a natural fruit. In many cases,  fibre has largely been removed from the product. Juice can also be acidic. A glass of fruit juice consumed quickly with a meal is less problematic than sipping it slowly over several hours, but it can still contribute to both tooth decay and enamel erosion. This is one reason why whole fruit is generally preferable to juice.

Brushing your teeth after eating fruit?

You might think that it seems like common sense to brush your teeth soon after eating fruit, so that tooth damaging sugars can be removed as soon as possible. While this might seem logical, it usually isn’t the best idea. With acids from the fruit temporarily softening the surface of the enamel. Brushing immediately afterwards may then cause additional wear. It is better to give your saliva some time to neutralise the acid before brushing. You could chew some sugar free gum to help speed up the process by producing more saliva. Rinsing the mouth with water is a useful and easy option too after eating fruit or drinking fruit juice.

Generally speaking then, we wouldn’t recommend that you eliminate fruit from your diet, despite the possible risks to your teeth. The important thing is to rinse with water soon after, allow time for the enamel to harden again and, as always, brush and floss your teeth well on a regular daily basis.

If you have been experiencing tooth sensitivity and eat a lot of fruit, this could be the cause of the problem. In situations like this, we recommend that you contact our Chelmsford dental practice to have your teeth examined. You can do this by calling the friendly reception team at Blue Sky Dental on 01245 211070.