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How to Protect Your Teeth from Acid Erosion

By Diane Hanson

Oranges, yogurt, and miso are good for you. But did you know that certain foods you eat and beverages you drink can lead to serious dental problems over time? Acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits, fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas and kefir are a cause of tooth erosion (enamel erosion), and can be particularly harmful to your teeth.

What is Tooth Erosion?

Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that protects the sensitive dentine underneath from decay.

If the enamel is eroded, the dentine is exposed. Your teeth will look yellow and become sensitive. Every time you eat or drink anything acidic, the enamel becomes softer for a short while, and loses some of its mineral content.

However, your saliva will slowly neutralize this acidity in your mouth and bring it back to its natural balance. But, if the acid attack occurs regularly, the presence of a lot of acid in your mouth demineralize and soften your tooth's surface. Over time, you would start to lose the surface of your teeth.

Causes of Acid Damage

Acid can come from various sources, such as the following:

Carbonated Drinks

All carbonated drinks, including diet varieties have a lot of acid and can dissolve enamel on your teeth very quickly. Consuming large amounts of such beverages are unhealthy for you in any way.

Fruit Juices and Wines

Juice and wine produce similar effects on your teeth because they are high in acid content.

Fruits, Pickles, Vinegar-Based Salad Dressings, Yogurt and Honey

Pickled gherkins as well as citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit are highly acidic so don't let them linger in your mouth.

Bulimia and Acid Reflux

Bulimia and acid reflux also can cause tooth damage from stomach acids coming into contact with your teeth.

Stomach acids also can cause erosion if they come up into the throat and mouth, a problem known as acid reflux. People with bulimia can get tooth erosion because of repeated vomiting. You should seek medical and dental help if you suffer from any of these conditions.

What Can I Do to Prevent Acid Erosion?

Significant tooth erosion doesn’t occur overnight, and can be prevented by rinsing your mouth out with water for 30 seconds after your meals, or chew a sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow.

Additionally, wait at least 20 minutes before brushing your teeth in order to give your teeth time to build up their mineral content again.

Also avoid sipping or holding acidic beverages in your mouth before swallowing. You might want to use a straw when drinking acidic beverages so that the drink is pushed to the back of your mouth, reducing the contact with your teeth.

It also helps to finish a meal with a small piece of cheese or a drink of milk as this will neutralize the acid.

Swallow acidic foods as soon as you’ve chewed them enough. If you want to snack on acidic foods, eat them just during meal times so as to minimize the amount of time the acid is on your teeth.

If the problem of acid erosion isn’t caught early and allowed to continue, it can damage the center of your tooth. The more damage is done, the more work will be required to rectify the problem.

what can i do to protect my teeth from acid erosion

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