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A new laboratory study of the erosive potential of fruit smoothies on teeth has been published in the latest issue of the British Dental Journal (BDJ).

The authors of the BDJ report,In vitro investigation of the erosive potential of smoothies, maintain that encouraging healthier eating habits, including five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, could inadvertently promote damage to teeth if beverages such as fruit smoothies are regularly consumed as fruit and veg substitutes outside of mealtimes.

The ethically approved laboratory study, which has been undertaken to provide more scientifically robust patient education, found that the majority of fruit smoothies investigated had a pH acidity level below the critical 5.5 pH of enamel, at and below which erosion occurs.

Some fruit smoothie combinations proved more erosive than others and double the erosive capacity of fresh orange juice. Those containing kiwi, apple and lime produced over 28 per cent surface loss in a tooth immersed in the drink for 60 minutes compared to strawberry and banana combinations which produced less than two per cent surface loss.

The report’s authors suggest the success of national initiatives such as five-a-day has contributed to a rise in consumption of shop-bought smoothies from 6.3 million liters in 2001 to 34 million liters in 2006, with consumption projected to treble over the next five years, while the public remain largely unaware of the potential risk to their teeth.

Dental erosion can range from minimal tooth surface loss leading to sensitivity and pain, to excessive loss of tooth enamel and poor dental aesthetics where restorative treatment can be time-consuming and expensive.

Commenting on the findings, the British Dental Association’s Scientific Adviser, Professor Damien Walmsley, said:“This study adds to the growing body of evidence linking dental erosion with the consumption of popular fruit beverages with a typical pH below 5.5 (acidity), such as fruit smoothies, particularly if they are regularly consumed as snacks, outside of mealtimes.

“It is important that the public is aware of this link so fruit juices and smoothies in particular, are consumed as part of a balanced diet and preferably through a straw to minimize the impact to dental health.”