The shocking truth about orange juice and Ribena

Nobody in particular likes going to the doctor, unless… he looks like Dr McDreamy or Dr McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy. But even with such scrumptious doctors, checkups are dreaded by all of us, especially if a dentist is involved. 

Teeth are usually the most neglected part of our body. We eat with them; hence we need to ensure they remain healthy. We smile with them, so keeping them clean is essential.

Beware- there is more to keeping your teeth in tip top condition than you think. The majority of people think brushing teeth and flossing is enough, but have you ever considered what it is that you put into your mouth? If you are what you eat, then you are also what you drink.

Sounds crazy?! Well, let’s look at drinks every one of us has been guilty of indulging in at some point. These are listed as some of the worst drinks in Britain.

Prepare yourself; some of the findings will be shocking.

Coffee– we are all aware that caffeine can stain our teeth, but ever thought of what else it may relate to? One Starbucks coffee has as much sugar as 10 bowls of Golden Grahams.

Smoothies– packed with lots of fruit, but also equivalent to 3.5 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donuts.

Orange juice– has natural sugars that can be compared to 13 Hobnobs. You are thinking, “How can orange juice of all things be bad? It’s part of our five-a-day.” The key issue is a lack of fibre. When we eat fruit, fibre forms a protective layer that acts as a barrier to the intestine. No fibre in juices means sugar is absorbed faster leading to liver overload and our waistlines expanding.

White grape juice– just like wines contains quite a high amount of sugar; four doughnuts worth to be precise. Fruit is high in fructose, which affects blood sugar levels. Any sugar that the body doesn’t need is converted to fat. 

Ribena– a much loved drink growing up, has as much sugar as 13 Oreo cookies.

Flavoured waters– have as much sugar as two Kellogg’s Chewy Marshmallow Rice Krispies Bars.

The fancier the name of your drink the more sugar it probably contains. Keep everything in moderation, but most importantly follow these rules: brush, floss, rinse and get your teeth checked on a yearly basis by professionals. A small cavity can lead to much more damage when ignored.

The best drink every time? Water, of course!

The best treatment if in doubt? Your local dentist!

Pooja Sahny

Ollie and Darsh, dental professionals based in Liverpool UK, who specialise in Dental Implant treatments have created a how-to-fully-protect-your-smile guide.