teeth
The British Dental Health Foundation has now warned the public to cut down on how often they consume acidic fruit drinks, which can eventually lead to tooth loss and costly treatment.
The advice follows evidence discovered by researchers at the Eastman Institute, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, which showed that daily exposure to orange juice caused significantly more damage to enamel than over-the-counter whitening treatments - products which more typically prompt enquiries over side affects and safety concerns.
Of real concern is the potential for an erosion explosion in children’s teeth - at least 50 per cent of under-fives experience signs of tooth decay as parents allow too many sugary snacks - it is important that acid erosion does not follow suit.
A good smile will help you feel better about yourself, while poor oral hygiene has been connected to potential overall health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature births
Parents providing fruit juice as a healthy drink for their kids need to be aware of the potential damage to their teeth.
Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: 'We often hear of safety concerns over whitening treatment while fruit juices are marketed as healthy drinks. Yet this research shows the extent of damage caused by orange juice while professional or home whitening after consultation with a dentist is relatively low-risk.
'Your mouth needs time to recover after exposure to acids or sugars so cut down on the frequency you have these snacks or drinks. Water and milk drinks are safe alternatives.
'It is also very important to brush your teeth twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.
'Oral health is often considered as a secondary health issue but it is very important. A good smile will help you feel better about yourself, while poor oral hygiene has been connected to potential overall health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature births.'
The new erosion research was published in the Journal of Dentistry in June after scientists used 40 human enamel discs to measure the impact of exposure to orange juice 6% hydrogen peroxide tooth whitening products plus a control group.
With daily treatments enamel was not significantly affected in either the control or tooth whitening groups but enamel was softened by 84% by the orange juice.
A new type of microscope enabled researchers to gain a detailed look at the disc’s surface. Lead researcher YanFang Ren said: 'The acid is so strong the tooth is literally washed away. It’s potentially a very serious problem for people who drink sodas and fruit juices
The British Dental Health Foundation is an independent charity that along with its global arm, the International Dental Health
Foundation, is dedicated to improving the oral health of the public by providing free and impartial dental advice, by running educational campaigns like National Smile Month and by informing and influencing the public, profession and government on issues such as mouth cancer awareness and water fluoridation.
The Foundation promotes three key messages:
* Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
* Cut down how often you have sugary foods and drinks
* Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend
The British Dental Health Foundation website is available at www.dentalhealth.org.uk
Tagged in Dental Health