The holiday season leaves a lot of us feeling over-full and ready to detox, and many folks turn to a juice cleanse to help. We take a quick look on what that might mean for your teeth.

What is a juice cleanse?

Juice cleanses temporarily replace regular diets with fruit and veggie juices with the intention of flushing out toxins. Advocates claim they help organs remove toxins more quickly. They point to benefits such as increased energy, reduced appetite, rehydration and weight loss.

What do the experts say?

Many health experts, though, aren’t convinced. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says there’s no data to suggest cleanses remove toxins or improve health. In fact, because they eliminate key nutrients, juice cleanses actually cause issues such as blood sugar fluctuations, inability to concentrate, low blood pressure and fatigue, among others.

What about my oral health?

Unfortunately, when it comes to oral health, juice cleanses can do more harm than good. While fruits have nutritional benefits, they also contain a high level of natural sugars. During a cleanse, all that sugar can damage teeth. By drinking juice throughout the day, you increase your mouth’s exposure. And because you aren’t eating solid foods, sugar isn’t being washed away by regular chewing. Further, cleanses with citrus fruits are acidic and can erode enamel and increase tooth sensitivity.

Instead of a juice cleanse, consider eating a well-balanced diet to keep your wellness in check.