Juice Cleanses Can Cause Cavities

You might want to skip that all kale-and-spinach liquid diet you have planned—it turns out juice cleanses can cause cavities. Dentists have noticed that cavities have been occurring at higher rates, even among people who frequently visit the dentist, ever since the juice cleanse fad started a few years ago. The reason? Juices, even the fresh-pressed, "healthy" kind, are filled with sugar, which slowly decay your teeth.

But the sugar content of the juice is just one part of the problem. According to cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg, juices fill in the spaces between teeth and where teeth and gums meet, getting trapped. Additionally, when the sugar from the juice is consumed by the bacteria in your mouth, an acid is created that can wear away at tooth enamel and possibly cause gum disease. Ouch.

But fortunately, there are several ways to prevent cavities. The easiest way is just not to do a juice cleanse. Focus on eating whole fruits and vegetables to get your vitamins and nutrients—the sugars won't be able to settle in between teeth like they do when you drink juice. Otherwise, if you're still considering getting your calories from a liquid, be sure to drink the juice fairly fast, rinse with water when you're done, and brush your teeth about 45 minutes after.

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