A healthy and white smile is sought after as people spend thousands of dollars on maintaining and improving their oral hygiene. What they are unaware of is that many foods that are being ingested are causing damage to those teeth, causing the enamel to weaken. Once this happens, decay forms, teeth begin to yellow and stain, and various other dental problems may emerge. One of the major causes of damage to the enamel of the teeth is acid erosion. Acids will eat away at the enamel, making the teeth weak and susceptible to cavities and decay. Acid erosion is very common and is increasing as more and more people consume foods and beverages with high acid contents.
The protective enamel is important to tooth health. It protects teeth from decay and softening. Acid erosion occurs when the enamel dissolves. This is usually caused by a repeated exposure to an acid. It may be acid from the stomach, or acids that are found in foods and drinks that are consumed. When the enamel starts to dissolve, the inner part of the tooth may become exposed, leading to heightened sensitivity, pain and weakened teeth. Acid erosion can change the shape of teeth, which may cause changes to your natural bite. This may result in jaw pain, cause for removal of teeth and other dental issues.
Teeth are normally exposed to stomach acid. This is unavoidable and is normal. The presence of acid from the stomach may be increased if the patient has severe heartburn or is bulimic. Vomiting as a result of illness will also produce more acid. These acids from the stomach will irritate the tissues of the gums and eventually soften the enamel of the teeth. Once the enamel begins to thin, teeth will become more sensitive. It is common for enemal to be removed simply by brushing the teeth once it has begun to dissolve. Many foods and beverages contain acids that will also eat away at the protecting tooth coating. The consumption of soda is the number one cause for acid erosion. Citrus juices, such as orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemon juice, will cause erosion. The high acid content in these drinks softens the enamel, leaving the teeth prone to decay. White wine, tea and coffee also contain acids that destroy the enamel. There are many fruits and vegetables that have a high acid content. These include citrus fruits, tomatoes and pickles.
There are things you can do to prevent acid erosion. After consuming anything acidic, wait about one hour before brushing your teeth. When you consume anything with acid, the enamel begins to dissolve immediately upon contact. Brushing after consumption of acid will remove the softened enamel. Saliva will help to harden the enamel again, so it is best to wait at least one hour before cleaning the teeth after eating or drinking anything with acid. Be aware of the products you are consuming. Knowing if there is an acid content will be helpful. It is recommended to avoid these foods and drinks whenever possible to maintain healthy teeth. If you just can’t stay away from them, be sure to use a toothpaste with fluoride, which will help the teeth to remain strong. A useful tool in rescuing the presence of acid is to drink water, milk or eat a piece of cheese immediately after eating or drinking a product with acid. These dairy products help to neutralize acids, reducing the chances of acid erosion to the enamel. Finishing a meal with a dairy product is advised for patients with heartburn and other issues that produce stomach acid. Acid erosion is one of the main causes for dental decay and loss of teeth. Try to take the precautions to avoid exposing your teeth to unnecessary acids and make use of the helpful dairy tip after a meal.
