Over time in our articles, we’ve repeated how sugar affects teeth and causes cavities. But, sugar isn’t the only dietary factor that can harm your smile. Foods and drinks high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion.
Be sure you maintain regular teeth cleaning and dental checkups. At Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry, we look at changes that have occurred since your last dental checkup so we are aware and can stay on top of significant tooth erosion. In this article, we explore how acidic foods affect your teeth and what you can do to prevent tooth erosion.
Acid and Normal pH
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 which measures the acidity or alkalinity levels (also called the basicity) of any substance. You can also measure the pH balance of foods, liquids, and saliva in your mouth. Substances that fall below a pH of 7 are considered acidic and those above 7 are alkaline. When you aren’t eating or drinking, your saliva should stay close to the neutral range of 6.5 to 7.5 pH. When saliva is in this range, there is no enamel erosion or tooth decay.
How Acid Affects Your Mouth
Acid is a problem for teeth because it weakens the enamel, which leaves them vulnerable to damage. With each time you eat or drink something acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes softer for a while and it loses some of its mineral content. Over some time, saliva cancels out the acidity and your mouth returns to its natural balance. However, if the acid recurs often, your mouth doesn’t have the opportunity to recover. This can result in slowly losing your enamel.
Tooth Erosion
Tooth erosion occurs when there is a lot of acid in your mouth from foods and beverages. The enamel that protects the tooth actually wears away when exposed to acids. These are some of the effects of tooth erosion:
Weakened Enamel
Acidic foods and drinks soften tooth enamel and remove some of its minerals, making teeth more vulnerable to damage.
Exposed Dentine
When enamel is worn away, the yellowish-brown dentine underneath is exposed, which leads to sensitivity and pain.
Tooth Decay
The bacteria that cause cavities feed on sugar and excrete acid. When enamel is weakened, bacteria can more easily access the tooth and cause decay.
Discoloration
As enamel thins, the dentine underneath becomes more visible, causing teeth to appear yellow and dull.
Cracks and Other Issues
Acidic foods can lead to cracks and damage fillings. Your teeth can also lose their original shape and appear rounded or transparent.
Foods That Are High in Acid
Foods high in acid content can cause decay, sensitivity, and discoloration. Some highly acidic foods and drinks to be mindful of:
- Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, and oranges
- Apples, grapes, peaches, pomegranates, blueberries, pineapples
- Tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauces, and ketchup
- Jams and jellies
- Fruit juices
- Sodas
- Vinegar
- Sauerkraut
- Some dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream, and aged cheeses
Foods Low in Acid
Eat foods and drink beverages that do not contribute to erosion and, instead, help build strong teeth such as these:
- Beans, including black, soy, kidney, and lima
- Corn, peas, peppers, asparagus, spinach, and broccoli
- Fish, including salmon, shrimp, and crab meat
- Cheeses
- Bread
- Tofu
- Green tea
- Potatoes, rice, and yams
- Watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydew melons
- Mangoes, bananas, and papayas
How to Protect Your Teeth
You can help to restore enamel by assisting in the remineralization process–primarily through maintaining good oral hygiene. Here are some specific actions you can take that protect your teeth from acids:
- Wait about 30 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods before brushing. This time allows the enamel to remineralize.
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental device.
- Rinse your mouth with water or swish with a fluoride mouthwash after drinking soda.
- Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow and neutralize acids.
- If you have experienced enamel erosion, your teeth may be sensitive. If so, use a toothpaste like Pronamel from Sensodyne.
Can Teeth Be Saved If the Enamel is Gone?
Once tooth enamel is damaged or gone, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Some toothpastes and mouthwashes can contribute to remineralization.
Remineralization introduces minerals, in particular, calcium to the teeth. These minerals bond to the surface of the teeth and are drawn to weak points in the enamel. This is especially helpful in cases of dental erosion where tooth surfaces might be weakened without being cracked or chipped.
The primary mineral in tooth enamel is calcium phosphate, also known as hydroxyaptite. Products with high concentrations of calcium phosphate or fluoride are best at helping teeth to remineralize naturally before damage is so severe.
Contact Sninski & Schmitt Family Dentistry Today
If your teeth are becoming sensitive and you think it may be from consuming too many acidic foods and/or beverages, contact our dentists. We will thoroughly examine your teeth and provide solutions for the symptoms. Call the Holly Springs location at 919-600-6262 or our dentists in Cary NC at 919-467-2203, or fill out our contact form below to schedule an appointment.