Dentists Issue Warning Over Sugary Fruit Juices

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Dentists have issued a warning over the sugar content of fruit juices in a bid to reduce rates of decay among young children.

Last year, more than 1,200 children were hospitalised for dental treatment and one of the main contributing causes is drinking sugary drinks from a bottle. Many parents think they are giving their children a healthy alternative to pop and sugary cordial when they give them fruit juice. However, juices and smoothies are highly acidic and they are often packed with added sugars. Drinking from a bottle also results in the fluid making direct contact with the teeth. Research shows that a glass of apple juice can contain up to 7 teaspoons of sugar, which equates to the same amount as a glass of cola.

Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, said that diet plays a crucial part in oral disease prevention and sadly, many of the cases of childhood decay in the UK are linked to the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Drinking from a bottle is even more damaging that drinking from a cup, as children sip through the night and this means that the teeth are in constant contact with sugary liquid, which contributes to acid erosion of the protective enamel layer.

Professor Walmsley urged parents to try and encourage children to use drinking cups, rather than bottles, from an early age and advised against sending children to bed with juices and cordials, which contain added sugar.

Dr Ewa Rozwadowska, from the British Dental Health Foundation, warned that decay is a real issue among today’s children. She has operated on children as young as 2 or 3 who need up to 20 teeth extracting due to severe decay. In addition to increased sugar consumption, Dr Rozawadoswka warned that parents are not taking their children to the dentist early enough and many are also missing out on regular check-ups.

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