Fruit provides essential vitamins and nutrients for a healthy diet. Most of these natural healthy snacks are safe for teeth, like apples, pears, and others of the crispy variety. There are some that, for all their health benefits, a dentist may recommend you avoid to prevent damage from the acid and natural sugars they contain.

How Does Fruit Affect Your Teeth?

The sugar from fruit, although natural and not the white, refined variety, can linger on the surface of teeth and form bacteria that can eat away at the protective layer known as the enamel. When enamel is damaged, your teeth can become more susceptible to decay. If you have increased tooth sensitivity; see discoloration; or notice your teeth appear rounded, transparent or cracked, the enamel may have eroded.

A dentist can repair teeth that have suffered from enamel erosion using either of two methods: bonding, a cosmetic procedure involving the application of resin matching the natural teeth that are shaped and polished, and crowning. Crowns are typically used on more damaged teeth, covering them completely.

What Fruits Are Most Acidic? 

Citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits, are high in acid, a culprit of enamel erosion that can lead to visits to the dentist to repair cavities resulting from the weakened protective layer on your teeth. 

Berries are less physically damaging but can cause unsightly stains on the tooth enamel that can be difficult to remove. A dentist can apply a teeth whitening treatment to remove stubborn stains.

There are concentrated amounts of sugar and sometimes acid in fruit juices. Drinking fruit juice should be avoided. Dried fruits also contain significant amounts of sugar, and their stickiness makes them cling to your teeth, allowing the sugars to linger longer, possibly leading to tooth decay.

How Can You Prevent Tooth Damage From Fruit?

You don't have to quit eating fruit, but it is best to choose varieties that are lower in sugar and acid more often than the ones identified above as the most acidic and sugar-filled. 

After partaking of sour and sweet types, dentists advise brushing your teeth after a half-hour and rinsing your mouth with water to reduce the acid and sugar.

To fight the impact on your teeth from eating acidic and sugary fruit, visit Gregory E. Utecht, DDS, for regular teeth cleaning. Serving patients of all ages throughout Lincoln, NE, this trusted dentist also offers cosmetic, family, and general dentistry services and can repair any damage. Find out more about the practice's care options online or schedule an appointment by calling (402) 477-3456.