Can you get cavities from eating fruit?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Can you get cavities from eating fruit? And will include the following topics: Is fruit bad for your teeth? The Way You Eat Fruit Matters For Your Teeth
Fruit sugars and acid: What do they do to your teeth?
How to enjoy your fruit fix without affecting your teeth
Is Citrus Bad for Your Teeth?
Eating fruit vs. drinking fruit juice: Which is better for your teeth?
How to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay After Eating Fruit
Enjoy your fruit, protect your teeth
Can you get cavities from eating fruit?
Yes,you can get cavities from eating fruits that are high in sugar and acid content.
Is fruit bad for your teeth?
We’re all aware that fruit has numerous beneficial properties since it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a variety of nutrients that our systems require to build immunity, guard against illnesses, and maintain the health of our skin, hair, and nails.
However, since certain fruits have more natural sugars and acids than others, you may be wondering if fruit is bad for your teeth. Whether you prefer munching away on an apple or tingling your taste buds with some pineapple, we’re investigating the influence of fruit on our teeth and how to enjoy the health benefits of fruit without compromising your dental health.
The Way You Eat Fruit Matters For Your Teeth
A well-balanced, healthy diet must contain fruit. It is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and eating it on a daily basis boosts your immune system and lowers your risk of illnesses and chronic disease. However, there are several methods for obtaining fruit, and some methods are more harmful to your teeth than others!
Dried Fruit
Many people believe that dried fruit is a wonderful nutritious snack. Unfortunately, dried fruits contain a lot of sugar, not to mention the additional sugar that many marketed dried fruits have. Because they are dried, most of the water is lost from the fruit, but none of the sugar is, resulting in a highly concentrated fruit..
It is a well-known truth that the more sugar you consume, the more cavities you will develop! In our mouths, harmful bacteria feed on sugar and make acids as a byproduct, which can lead to tooth decay. Dried fruit is also incredibly sticky, which means it stays to your teeth for a longer period of time than most other meals.
Canned Fruit
The majority of canned fruits on the market have been drenched in sugary syrup. It may taste wonderful, but if you’re not cautious, it may wreck havoc on your teeth! Even those labelled “light syrup” can contain a lot of sugar. If you enjoy canned fruit as a healthy snack, check sure it has no added sugar and is packed in 100% fruit juice..
Fruit Juice
Although it is entirely natural, fruit juice has plenty of sugar. Worse, many fruit juices, particularly those marketed to children, have additional sugar. In reality, the bulk of fruit juice offered in supermarkets contains the same amount of sugar as soda, sometimes even more!
Sugar isn’t the only issue; fruit juice is also extremely acidic. The combination of sugar and acid is harmful for your teeth: acid destroys tooth enamel, while sugar supports cavity-causing bacteria and adds to decay.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to obtain the nutritious advantages of fruit as well as the additional mouth-healthy benefits of non – fat Greek yoghurt. Smoothies, however, can be high in sugar and calories if prepared incorrectly. When preparing (or purchasing) a smoothie, restrict the amount of high-sugar fruit used. Avoid eating figs, grapes, mangoes, pomegranates, and cherries since they contain a lot of sugar.
Fruit sugars and acid: What do they do to your teeth?
We all know that fruits are packed with nutrients and vitamins but it is also important to remember that they contain acid and sugar which can be bad for your teeth.
The sugar from fruits and juices can linger on the surface of the teeth and contribute to the development of bacteria.this bacteria when comes in contact with sugar produces acid and invades the enamel which is the protective layer of the tooth making it susceptible to tooth decay.
On the other hand,the acid present in fruits such as pineapples, grapes and oranges can also soften the enamel and lead to enamel erosion.
Signs of enamel erosion in teeth include:
Increased sensitivity
Discolouration
Rounded teeth
Transparency
Cracking
How to enjoy your fruit fix without affecting your teeth?
Consuming sugary or acidic fruits isn’t harmful as long as you don’t consume them in excess. Even so, after consuming them, remember to rinse your mouth with water.
Choose fruits that are low in acidity and sugar, such as berries, peaches, and apples. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, should be taken in moderation.
It is usually a good idea to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating sweet fruits, since this can assist in eliminating the sugar remaining on the tooth’s surface.
Is Citrus Bad for Your Teeth?
CItrus fruits offer you with the Vitamin C that is needed to generate collagen, which will help us to build strong bones ,heal scratches and other minor injuries faster. Vitamin C can also aid in the maintenance of healthy gums ; however, too much citrus fruit might be damaging to your teeth.
The enamel of your teeth can be eroded by citrus fruits and other acidic meals. The loss of enamel exposes the tooth’s inner layers, which are supposed to be protected leading to tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a painful condition that can develop if you consume too much citrus fruit or hold it in your mouth for an extended period of time.
Eating fruit vs. drinking fruit juice: Which is better for your teeth?
It is always wise to choose to eat whole fruit rather than drinking fruit juice. Fruit juices contain preservatives and have high amounts of sugar and acid and low nutrient values. Frequent consumption of juices can lead to development of cavities in children.
Even if your kids choose to drink fruit juices, always make them use straws and make sure they rinse their mouth with water right after drinking it.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay After Eating Fruit
You don’t need to give up eating fruits to maintain good dental health.. To enjoy the best of both worlds, make sure citrus fruit and other potentially harmful foods do not stay in your teeth for long.
Brush after foods whenever doable, and if that isn’t possible, rinse your mouth with water thoroughly. Even if the item isn’t something you’d think of as sweet or sugary, read the labels and be conscious of the sugar content of the foods you enjoy. An ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure when it comes to your oral health.
Enjoy your fruit, protect your teeth
The simplest way to answer the question “is fruit bad for your teeth” is to take the approach of “everything in moderation”.
While the sugars and acids found in some types of fruit can have a negative effect on tooth enamel, there’s no doubt that fruit offers a huge variety of health benefits that make it a far better option than other sugary or processed foods.
Rather than minimising your fruit intake, make sure you’re balancing sweet and sour fruits with ones that are lower in sugar and acid, and remember to rinse your mouth with water to decrease the probability of tooth decay.
The Top 5 Worst Foods For Your Teeth: Foods That Cause Cavities
1. Acidic Foods
While citrus fruits are often packed with Vitamin C and other nutrients, they, like other acidic foods, can erode your enamel and irritate your gums and mouth when consumed in large quantities. In other words, acidic foods such as pickles, coffee, lemons, grapefruit, oranges, and strawberries may wear down your teeth, develop cavities, and increase sensitivity, as well as discolour them.
2. Sugary Foods
Bacteria that cause decay enjoy sugar. These bacteria grow in your mouth and feed on carbohydrates, releasing acid as a result. Acid, as in the substance that wears away enamel, causes cavities, tooth decay, and a variety of other dental and oral health issues. And not all sugary products are as obvious as candy. Fruits, jams, wine, soda, and cereals are all examples of sugary foods. Fruit juices can also contain significant levels of sugar and acids, so take care while consuming them.
3. Chewy Foods
Chewy foods are high in sugar. Sugar, as previously stated, is harmful to your teeth on its own. Sticky, chewy foods, on the other hand, are a double threat. Because these foods adhere to your teeth and as you chew them for longer periods of time, the sugar remains in touch with your teeth for an extended period of time,hence contributing to more decay-causing bacteria. Chewy foods, such as taffy, caramel, and even dried fruit, provide a breeding ground for germs, allowing them to thrive and wreak havoc on your tongue.
4. Starchy Foods
Pasta, white bread, and potatoes are examples of starchy foods. Unfortunately, because starch is a refined carbohydrate, it quickly breaks down into sugars when it comes in contact with saliva, making it one of the foods that cause cavities. Furthermore, when these products come into contact with the relevant enzymes, they easily attach to and become trapped between teeth. Consume these items as part of a meal, as the other foods you consume might help prevent the starchy ones from adhering to your teeth.
5. Drying Foods
Salty foods, as well as other foods that dry out your mouth, can be harmful to your dental health. Saliva acts as a first line of defence against oral health concerns by washing away carbohydrates and bacteria that might prove problematic. Drying beverages, such as alcohol, energy drinks, and coffee, as well as overly salted meals, might deplete your mouth’s defences. To combat this, be sure to drink lots of water and chew sugar-free xylitol gum. Talk to your dentist and general practitioner if you experience persistent dry mouth (also known as xerostomia), since it can be quite serious.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
Can fruit harm your teeth?
Fruits that are high in acid and/or sugar content can harm your teeth. Fruits high in acid can erode the enamel by citrus fruits and other acidic meals leading to tooth sensitivity. While fruits high in sugar, breakdown into carbohydrates on which the decay causing bacteria feed and grow.
What foods cause cavities?
Foods that are acidic, chew, sugary,starchy, and/or drying to eat or drink cause bacteria.
Can you get cavities from fruit snacks?
Yes , you can get cavities from fruit snacks like canned fruits, dried fruits etc. usually these types of fruits are high in sugar,which stays in the mouth for a longer time and can lead to cavities.
Is fruit good for cavities?
Yes, fruits can be good for your teeth and cavities. For instance, Apples have a crunchy texture that helps remove plaque and keeps the teeth clean, kiwis are rich in vitamin C which helps in collagen production, strawberries contain malic acid that work as natural teeth whitener.
Does fruit erode enamel?
Yes, certain fruits that are rich in citric acid can erode the enamel. The loss of enamel exposes the tooth’s inner layers, which are supposed to be protected leading to tooth sensitivity. Therefore these fruits should be taken in moderation. Also remember to brush or rinse your mouth after eating citrus fruits.
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
Can baking soda get rid of cavities?
Can cavities go away if you brush them?