Protecting Our Teeth From Dental Erosion

The Research

The research found that certain drinks and snacks, including things like fruit teas, contain acid which harms the enamel covering on our teeth. The issue also seems to be that it is also more dangerous to have these drinks and snacks in-between meals and to graze on them. So if you continuously sip a fruit tea for example, the risk of tooth erosion is greater than if you drink it outright at a meal time.

The research revealed that people who for example had a water with lemon twice a day in between meals, were more than 11 times more likely to have tooth erosion. This figure was however halved when the drinks were only taken at meal times. This is because when you are eating a meal the mouth produces saliva which is alkaline and therefore helps to protect the food from the acid content in the drink. Another piece of advice from the research was that eating food like cheese (cheese is a neutralising food) after drinking an acidic drink ,was also beneficial.

The research also shows that most children and adolescents in the UK have tooth surface loss and that this is a major cause of tooth damage in older generations.

What Is Tooth Erosion?

Tooth erosion occurs when the hard substance on the tooth is being reduced by chemical processes that do not involve bacterial action. It should not be confused with tooth decay which is caused by eating and drinking excessive sugar.

Drinks That Are Deemed Acidic.

These include:

• Alcohol
• Fruit teas
• Flavoured water
• Squashes
• Diet drinks
• Sweetened drinks

Drinks that are better for your teeth include water, tea, coffee, sparkling water.

Foods That Can Attack Enamel

Fruit can seriously attack our teeth but we are also told to eat more fruit, so what the best way? Fruits from the citrus family including oranges, lemons, limes and even berries can be harmful to our enamel. So the advice is to eat them as they contain much that is good for us but try to eat them with a meal and not as a snack.

Vinegar can also cause enamel erosion, it is also a food substance that you will find in lots of foods including salad dressings, sauces, crisps, and pickles. So the advice again is not to snack on foods in-between meals that contain high levels of vinegar.

What Action Can We Take To Prevent Tooth Erosion?

The key advice is to watch what you eat and drink. Reduce drinks that are acidic and foods that also contain high levels of acid. If you do want to eat and drink highly acidic foods then eat or drink them at meal times when your saliva can help to neutralise them. Avoid snacking on acidic foods.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste and use a mouthwash. Wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth if you have consumed acidic foods as this will allow the teeth to remineralise after the exposure to acid. If you are drinking an acidic drink either use straw which will protect the juice from overtly touching your teeth and swallow quickly again to minimalize the time the acid stays in your mouth.

See a dentist every 6 months if you can. Some patients may need to be seen more or less frequently but consult your dentist and they will advise.