Acid Erosion May Be Ruining Your Teeth

Most people think only of sugar when they think of tooth decay but the truth is that acid in foods and drinks you enjoy every day can be harmful as well. Over time, this acid can wear away at your teeth, which increases the chances of decay, discoloring, and sensitivity. The good news is that California Dental Group has some tips to help you enjoy your favorite foods and drinks while minimizing the chances of damage.

What exactly happens during tooth erosion?

Your teeth are covered with enamel, which is essentially a hard surface that protects your teeth. The acid wears this enamel away, which leaves dentin – the material under your enamel – exposed. As a result, your teeth are much more vulnerable to bacteria, plaque, and decay.

What causes this erosion?

Calcium is essential to build up strong teeth, but when your teeth are repeatedly exposed to acid, calcium can be leached from your enamel. This causes the surface to break down. There are a lot of sources of acid, including:

• Any type of carbonated drink. This includes diet options.
• Wine. This includes white, rose, red, and any other type of drinking wine.
• Fruit juice. All fruit juices can cause teeth erosion but the most acidic are apple, lemon, orange, and cranberry.
• Citric fruits. If you regularly snack on citric fruits like lemons, oranges, or limes, your teeth could wear down.
• Candy.
• Sugar. In and of itself, sugar doesn’t have high levels of acid, but it does promote acid-creating bacteria to grow in your mouth.

Do I have tooth erosion?

There are of course many signs of tooth erosion. The best situation is one in which you discover it early on. Look for these symptoms and if you have them, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 right away.

• Tooth sensitivity.
• Discolored teeth.
• Rounded teeth.
• Transparent teeth.
• Cracks.
• Cupping.

How can tooth erosion be prevented?

There are a few things you can do to reduce the effects of acid erosion. First, eat acidic foods with meals instead of as snacks. When you eat them with other foods, the acid can be neutralized. You should also drink plenty of water as you’re eating or drinking anything acidic because the water can wash the acid out of your mouth.

If you’re drinking an acidic beverage, use a straw so that the amount of time your teeth are in contact with the beverage is minimized. Skip bubbles and choose drinks that aren’t carbonated. Finally, you may be surprised to learn that it’s best not to brush your teeth right after enjoy foods with a lot of acid because you want to give your enamel time to harden up after it’s been softened by the enamel. Try to wait 30 minutes and just rinse your mouth out with water in the meantime.

Do you have questions about acid erosion? Do you want to have your teeth checked? Reach out to California Dental Group for a dental cleaning and exam. Call us at (800) 407-0161 to set up your appointment.