Here at Sparklysmile we love pineapple! It’s juicy, tasty, delicious and we’ve noticed it’s very on trend for home interiors as well. But what about pineapples and teeth? Some reports have stated that this spiky-topped fruit has plaque-fighting qualities, so we thought it best to investigate. The so-called plaque-fighting qualities in pineapple all stems from the enzyme Bromelain, which is found in the fruit and is said to cleanse the teeth and break up plaque. Bromelain is credited to many health benefits and can be useful as a complementary therapy for helping ease inflammation and can also be used topically to soothe wounds and burns. In addition, vitamins K and C found in pineapple also promote healing. While this is interesting, we cannot find enough research that really clarifies whether or not pineapple can help to break up or fight plaque. What we do know for sure is that it – along with many other fruits – is acidic and this is something to think about with regards to the teeth. Consuming foods and drinks that are acidic can cause dental erosion that is damaging to the teeth. Exposure to these acids can weaken and demineralise the tooth enamel over time, causing discolouration, sensitivity and eventually decay. Here at Sparklysmile we always advise using a straw to drink fruit juices as this helps to prevent contact with the teeth. Simply rinsing the mouth with water after eating foods like pineapple can help to dilute any harmful acids, and always wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. This gives the enamel a chance to remineralise following the ‘acid attack’. As much as we love pineapple, we really can’t promise that eating it will help to fight plaque, unless some stronger evidence becomes available to suggest otherwise. In the meantime, enjoy this tasty fruit sensibly.