Sugar isn’t the
only dietary factor that can damage your teeth. Drinks and foods that are high
in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as
tooth erosion.
Acidic drinks
and foods lower the pH level of the mouth so consuming those causes the teeth
to demineralise. Drinks low in pH levels that cause dental erosion include
fruit juices, sports drinks, wine, beer and carbonated drinks. Orange and apple
juices are common culprits among fruit juices. Carbonated drinks such as colas
are also very acidic.
This demineralization of teeth changes the appearance of your teeth and softens enamel, exposed the sensitive layer of dentin and opens the door for bacteria that can cause cavities or infection.
Effect Of Erosion On Teeth
Tooth erosion is permanent. If your enamel has started to wear away through demineralization, you may suffer from following problems
- Pain or sensitivity when consuming hot, cold or sweet drinks
- Yellowish discoloration of the teeth
- Shape of your fillings have changed, it become elevated from surrounding structure
- Increased risks for more cavities over time
- Develop an abscess, in very extreme cases
- Experience tooth loss, also in very extreme cases
- Once erosion occurs, you may need fillings, crowns, a root canal or even tooth removal. Veneers may also be an option to restore the look of your smile and functions
Tips To Prevent Damage From Acidic Drinks And Fruits
- If what you’re eating or drinking is citrus or citrus-flavored, carbonated or sour, it’s best to limit how much you consume.
- Nutritious, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have some acidic effects on tooth enamel, so eat them as part of a meal, not by themselves. Dried fruits, including raisins, can also cause problems because they are sticky and adhere to teeth, so the acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria continue to harm teeth long after you stop eating them.
- Still, the major erosion culprit is soft drinks, especially soda and sports drinks. Even if they are sugar-free, they are more likely to be acidic thanks to carbonation. That bubbly fizz raises the acid level of any drink, regardless of its flavor.
- Acid in beverages can also come from citrus flavorings such as lemon, lime and orange. Even all-natural beverages like orange juice or fresh-squeezed lemonade are higher in acid than regular water, so make them an occasional treat instead of a daily habit.
Tips For Protecting Your Teeth
You can reduce tooth erosion from what you eat and drink by following these tips:
- Wait an hour before you brush after eating acidic foods to give your saliva a chance to naturally wash away acids and re-harden your enamel.
- Limit or avoid acidic beverages like soft drinks. If you do indulge, use a straw.
- When drinking something like a soft drink, do not swish or hold it in your mouth longer than you need to. Just sip and swallow.
- One can minimize acid exposure by drinking juice in one sitting (not sipping for hours) and then avoiding other acidic foods and drinks for several hours.
- After acidic meals or beverages, rinse your mouth with water, drink milk or enjoy a snack of cheese right afterward. Dairy and other calcium-rich foods can help neutralize acids.
- Saliva helps keep acids under control. To keep your saliva flowing and protecting your teeth, chew sugarless chewing gum.
- Knowing all you can about the effects of what you eat and drink on your teeth can help keep your smile bright over a lifetime.
