Is fruit juice bad for your child’s teeth? – What You Need to Know

24 October 2024

Is fruit juice bad for your child’s teeth? – What You Need to Know

Parents have been giving their children fruit juice for decades—a practice that was openly encouraged during World War II. In 1941, the UK government began issuing free fruit juice for children from six months up to the age of five to combat vitamin C deficiencies and protect against scurvy, a common ailment linked to malnutrition at that time. While fruit juice served an essential purpose in ensuring children received vital nutrients, its role in modern-day dental health raises important questions.

This article answers the question “Is fruit juice bad for your child’s teeth?”, discusses potential risks and offers tips for protecting their smile. If you’re a parent anxious to keep your child’s teeth in good shape read on, and don’t forget to visit Cheadle Hulme Dental for professional children’s dental care.

How fruit juice can damage your child’s teeth

Many parents think of fruit juice as a healthy way of providing the vitamins their child needs, after all, surely it’s better than fizzy drinks. Wrong!

The main concern with fruit juices is the sugar content. Even though some fruit juices have more nutritional value than a glass of pop, they can be equally damaging to teeth.

Take a small 150 ml glass of your everyday supermarket orange juice. While it provides vitamins it also contains around 24g of sugar – that’s a whopping 6 teaspoons. This small serving matches the amount of sugar recommended per day by the NHS for children between the ages of 7-10 while children aged between 4-6 should be limited to 19g a day.  While there is no guideline for children under the age of 4, avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks and food with added sugar is recommended.

When your child drinks fruit juice, the bacteria in their mouth mix with the sugar to create a mild acid that attacks the tooth enamel causing tooth decay and cavities.

And that’s not all …

Natural acids

It’s not just sugar in fruit juices that’s harmful to your child’s teeth. Natural acids found in fruit juices can also wear down tooth enamel in the same way that sugar does. Citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit and lemon are high in citric acid which can erode tooth enamel. Unfortunately, once enamel is gone it can’t regenerate itself. As a result, the teeth become more susceptible to discolouration,  sensitivity and decay.

Even fruit juices said to be “100% fruit juice” or labelled as “no added sugar” can still be highly acidic and contain natural sugars. Regularly drinking these juices can slowly erode your child’s tooth enamel causing long-term dental issues.

So, what about diluted fruit juice? Is that bad for your child’s teeth?

Unfortunately, even diluted fruit juice is harmful to children’s teeth if consumed regularly.  While dilution reduces the sugar concentration it doesn’t eliminate the acidity.

If you choose to give your child diluted fruit juice limit the amount you give them and don’t let them sip on it continually throughout the day.  Prolonged exposure to any acidic or sugary beverage increases the risk of tooth decay.

The impact of fruit juice on infants and toddlers

Infants and toddlers are particularly at risk of developing cavities and tooth decay from drinking fruit juice. Why?

Because little ones often drink from a bottle or sip from a beaker, their teeth are in constant contact with the juice. This continuous exposure to sugar and acid often through extended nursing on milk (even breast milk), formula or juice at naptime or bedtime is the main cause of ‘baby bottle tooth decay.’

How to avoid this?

You should never use a feeding bottle as a pacifier and try not to put your infant to bed with a bottle. If you choose to do so, then fill it with plain water instead of juice, milk or formula.

Healthier alternatives to fruit juice:

Water

When your child is thirsty, plain water should always be the first drink you offer them. Not only is water critical to health but it’s also necessary for vital processes within your child’s body, including organ function and temperature regulation.

Unlike some other drinks, water doesn’t provide liquid calories, meaning your child is less likely to feel full and not want to eat their food. Furthermore, it washes away food particles and neutralises acids in the mouth.

Milk

Plain milk is highly nutritious and a good source of calcium, protein, magnesium and phosphorous, which are all essential nutrients for bone health in growing children. Children have a greater need for milk than adults, so it’s best to provide them with full-fat milk. That said only offer a small drink of milk so they don’t become overly full just before eating.

Whole fruits

As an alternative to juice, offer your child whole fruits. They contain fibre, which slows down the release of sugar, and chewing fruits stimulates saliva production, helping to wash away acids and sugars.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a sneaky way of getting fruits and vegetables into your child. Pre-made smoothies can be loaded with sugar so try to make them yourself to ensure they provide plenty of nutrients. Consider adding your ingredients to yoghurt and mix in a little water or milk. Smoothies can be high in calories, so it’s a good idea to offer them as a snack.

Quick tips to protect your child’s teeth if they enjoy fruit juice

• Limit juice consumption
• Serve juice with a meal
• Drink through a straw
• Rinse their mouth with water after drinking juice
• Brush teeth regularly
• Schedule regular dental check-ups

The takeaway

While fruit juice may seem like a healthy choice, the potential harm to your child’s teeth and body from the sugar and acids far outweighs the minor nutritional value they may get from drinking fruit juice. From cavities to enamel erosion, regular consumption of fruit juices can lead to significant dental issues further down the road.

By limiting their consumption of fruit juice, providing healthier alternatives and ensuring proper oral hygiene, you can help protect your child’s teeth and promote a healthy confident smile.

If you’re concerned about your child’s dental health or would like professional advice on managing their diet and oral hygiene, we’re here to help. Contact Cheadle Hulme Dental today to schedule an appointment and take the next step to safeguard your child’s smile.