Orange juice weakens teeth enamel

ACIDIC fruit juice such as orange juice could be worse for your teeth than whitening,
according to a recent study published in the Journal of Dentistry.

A research team from the Eastman Institute for Oral Health of the University of Rochester Medical Centre used a new focus-variation vertical scanning microscope to compare the effects of acid on tooth enamel with the effects of 6% hydrogen peroxide the common ingredient in over-the-counter teeth whitening agents.

The study found that the acid from fruit juice changes the hardness and enamel of teeth significantly more than whitening agents.

“The acid is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away,’”said Yan Fang Ren, who led the research. “The orange juice decreased enamel hardness by 84%.”

Juices and sodas have long been known to have high acidic content, which can affect enamel hardness and cause tooth erosion.