Happy New Year! If you are like many people, you probably made a resolution to be healthier in 2017. This may include using a juicer. But, is juicing really healthy for you and your teeth?

Many juices are chock full of sugar and have high acidity levels. Both of these are no-no’s for healthy teeth. But, you do not have to avoid juicing all together. Here are some ways to make your juice work harder for the health of your and your teeth.

Do’s and Don’ts for Juicing in 2017

Vegetables: The majority of your juice should come from green veggies, because they won’t spike your blood sugar and insulin the way fruit and sweet vegetables do. Use leafy greens when you can. Kale, collard and other leafy greens are rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. These are important nutrients for strong bones and teeth.
Fruits: Fruits should be used sparingly, such as half of a green apple or a handful of berries. Also, be sure to use ripe fruits. These have less acid than an unripe fruit.
Wheatgrass: Often call ” liquid sunshine”. Wheatgrass is a super food with many benefits. It has a high chlorophyll content, which is highly energizing. It is an excellent source of vitamins, mineral and amino acids.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is another super food you can easily add to juices. It has amazing antibacterial properties that are great for teeth. Just stir in a teaspoon and your juice is instantly healthier!
Cranberry Juice: Fresh cranberries and unsweetened cranberry juice are remarkably good for teeth. They contain compounds that stop cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. This helps the good biofilm on the teeth.
Use a straw: Drinking your juices with a straw will limit the contact of the sugars and acids on the teeth. This will keep them healthier.

It is very important to keep juicing to mealtime. This will reduce how long the acids are exposed to teeth.

Saliva Repairs Teeth

Strong teeth are packed with minerals, but these minerals leach out as we eat or drink. Fortunately saliva protects teeth from weakness, because it has the ability to immediately replace any minerals that have been drawn out from the enamel. Saliva is a super-concentrated solution of the minerals needed to rebuild teeth. These minerals diffuse into the tooth as soon as they reach its surface and travel through to repair any weak areas. This process takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, and it can only occur in alkaline conditions and where there is an adequate flow of healthy saliva (which is why acidic and dry mouths are problematic for oral health).

When you keep Juicing to meal times, you will get the health benefits and protect your teeth too into the New Year!