The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has recently joined the groups calling for fruit juice to be removed from the list of recommended five-a-day portions. According to the official list, a 150ml glass of unsweetened fruit juice counts towards your five a day, but dentists – including Bristol dental surgeon Cornelius Krause of CK Dental – say that even unsweetened juices can be harmful to oral health.

At a time when many children as young as three are showing visible signs of tooth decay, the BDHF believes that keeping fruit juice on the five-a-day list sends out the wrong message to parents and children.

What’s wrong with drinking juice?

Many parents who we see here at our Bristol clinic say they give their children fruit juices to drink as an easy way to increase their fruit consumption, but the high concentration of sugars and acids in juices means that they can cause damage to the teeth, particularly when sipped repeatedly throughout the day.

What should children drink instead?

According to the British Dental Health Foundation, water and milk are the best drinks you can give to children. If they really insist on drinking fruit juice, try to keep it to mealtimes, when the mouth is producing more saliva to help wash the sugars away from the teeth.

How can we limit the damage caused by drinking fruit juice?

Any dentist will tell you how important it is to ensure that children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This is particularly important when the child drinks a lot of fruit juice, or eats a high sugar diet.

It is worth remembering, however, that brushing teeth too soon after consuming sugary food or drink can actually do more harm than good, as sugars soften the enamel on the teeth – try to leave a good half hour before tooth brushing.

For more detailed advice on how to care for your children’s teeth, book an appointment with dental surgeon and cosmetic dentist Mr Krause, here at our clinic in Bristol.

Did you know that the consequences of poor dental hygiene could go far beyond tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, leading to more serious diseases.

At CK Dental in Bristol, specialist dentist Cornelius Krause offers patients a thorough oral examination at every visit, to help keep tooth and gum problems at bay, but this does need to be complemented by good oral hygiene at home, which means brushing thoroughly twice a day.

What problems can be caused by poor dental hygiene?

Alzheimer’s Disease

A study carried out by researchers from New York University (NYU) in 2010 suggested that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s. This was supported by research performed by the University of Central Lancashire in 2014.

Pancreatic Cancer

In 2007, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health reported a strong link between the gum disease periodontitis and pancreatic cancer. A follow-up study found that men with a history of gum disease had a 64% increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to men who had never had gum disease.

Heart Disease

A 2008 study conducted jointly by research teams from the University of Bristol and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, found that bleeding gums can increase the risk of heart disease.

According to the research, the risk is increased because when the gums bleed, bacteria from the mouth is able to enter the bloodstream, sticking to platelets and potentially causing clots, which can then lead to a heart attack.

How can I reduce the risk to me?

Firstly, you can book an appointment at CK Dental in Bristol, to see specialist dentist Mr Krause, who will examine your teeth and gums to check for any signs of existing gum disease. At home, Bristol dental surgeon Mr Krause recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily, flossing daily and rinsing with mouthwash to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy.