Smoothies and Juices are everywhere. It seems so simple, you can get your 5-a day in one quick gulp. Are they really that good for you? It all depends on what you put in them. Studies have shown that some shop bought smoothies are actually worse than a can of coke and no one would have that for breakfast and feel healthy!
Some of these smoothies not only stain your teeth but actually permanently damage them. This is due to the natural sugars in fruit and vegetable that can lead to tooth decay or dental erosion. The ascorbic acid in the vitamin C can cause the enamel to erode, making our teeth doubly vulnerable to staining. Vibrant-coloured fruits like blackberries and blueberries cause your teeth to discolour.
The British Medical Journal recently reported on the dangers of smoothies for children. Their recommendations:
- Fruit juices/smoothies should not count as one of the UK government’s ‘5 a day’ recommendations, as is currently the case
- Fruit should preferably be eaten whole, not as juice
- Parents should dilute fruit juice with water or opt for unsweetened juices, and only allow these drinks during meals
- Portion sizes should be limited to 150 ml/day
- Manufacturers should stop adding unnecessary amounts of sugars, and therefore calories, to their fruit juice/smoothie products—and if not, the government should step in with statutory regulations, like the recently imposed sugar Tax.
So, do we need to sacrifice our health by eating less cancer fighting, heart healthy fruits and vegetables just to maintain a glistening white smile? Thankfully, the answer is no.
Follow these easy tips and your teeth will continue to sparkle:
- Enjoy your smoothie immediately, then rinse your mouth afterwards. Just take a few sips of water to dilute the teeth-staining foods. Freshly made juices are alkalising. Over time, light, air and heat destroy most of the available nutrients and allow the sugars to ferment.
- Make “green” smoothies. These have at least double, preferably triple, greens to fruit ratio to keep the sugar content of your drink low.
- Drink your smoothie through a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth.
- Eliminate or reduce the acid – avoid using citrus fruit in your smoothie.
- Try to wait half an hour if brushing after your smoothie because your tooth enamel is more vulnerable just after eating and drinking.
Bow Lane has teamed up with Nutritional Therapist Jessica Scott from Jessipes to find great tasting, health and tooth friendly recipes.
Coconut and Berry Gum revitaliser
Electrolyte rich celery, cucumber and coconut water helps to restore balance within the body and bathe your cells in alkalizing minerals. At the same time, the berries alert your taste buds with an abundance of antioxidants, plant phytonutrients such as resveratrol and anthocyanins making their way into your body to prepare it for the day ahead. Cucumbers, spinach and celery are also a superb source of vitamin C which are needed for healthy gums.
- 200ml coconut water (I use Chi)
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 frozen banana
- Half a cucumber
- Handful of fresh spinach
- Two handfuls of berries of choice, around 100g (I used blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and currants)
- More water, if needed (depending on how you like the consistency)
- 1 teaspoon desiccated coconut for decoration
- 4-5 ice cubes
Blend until smooth. Makes 500ml.
To make sure your juices or smoothies are not damaging your teeth call in to see your Dentist at Bow Lane. For further nutritious and teeth friendly recipes see www.jessipes.co.uk
