8-10 years old happy girl in trendy clothes listens to the music from her smartphone in the. Photo Credit: Envato @sbjonyThe acids and sugar within fruit will cause a softening of the protective enamel on the teeth which can cause cavities. Waiting 45 minutes after consuming a smoothie to brush teeth is good practice because the enamel on the teeth will not be as vulnerable to damage from brushing after a little time has passed. To consume smoothies and minimize damage to the teeth many experts will recommend drinking it through a straw which will keep a lot of the sugars and acids from sticking to the teeth. It is also suggested that smoothies should be drunk reasonably quickly and not consumed as a day-long beverage due to the high acid and sugar content which will stick to the teeth all day. Also, a bottle of water nearby, or even diluting the smoothie, can help to lessen damage to the teeth.
Sugar-Free Gum
Photo CreditAs well better breath, gum, specifically sugar-free gum, should be chewed over sugar-laden counterparts to maintain a healthy mouth. The action of gum-chewing can remove plaque from the teeth as well as creating saliva in the mouth which can act as a protective barrier for the teeth. It is essential that gum is sugar-free because gum that has sugar content can be damaging to the teeth. Sugar-free gum is not an alternative to brushing by any means but if brushing is not practical then grab a pack of gum and chew after meals. Be careful though, too much chewing can lead to aggravation and discomfort in the jaw as well as various joints and muscles in the body, not to mention consuming too much gum can even cause diarrhea.
