Many
adult patients feel that they know how to care for their teeth well enough to
prevent serious dental problems. Then unexpectedly, some patients find that
their teeth become sensitive and more susceptible to decay with age. Although
these patients haven’t changed their oral hygiene habits, they find it
difficult to reclaim the strong, resilient teeth they enjoyed as young people.
One
common cause of weakening dental enamel is something called acid erosion. Acid
erosion can progress undetected for months or years—because acid erosion causes
small, incremental changes to the dental structure, these changes often go
unnoticed by patients. However, eventually the cumulative effects of acid erosion
become noticeable, resulting in tooth sensitivity and cavities.
Acid
erosion is caused by acidic foods that slowly wear down dental enamel. Dental
enamel is the hard outer shell of the tooth. When we are young our dental
enamel is thick and strong, however as the enamel is exposed to acid over time
it begins to thin, resulting in a weakened tooth. Consequently the dental
enamel becomes less effective at protecting the inner tooth from damage,
sensitivity, and infection.
The good
news is that there are steps you can take to counteract dental erosion and
maintain healthy teeth. Many foods can produce acid on the teeth, and some of
the most acidic foods are actually good for you! Substances like fruits and
fruit juices are both necessary for a healthy diet and prone to causing acid
erosion. Less healthy drinks like soft drinks and wines can also weaken dental
enamel.
Since we
know that we can’t totally eliminate all acidic foods from a patient’s diet,
the goal therefore is to limit the amount of time that the dental enamel is
exposed to an acidic substance. Our Glendale dentists have some easy-to-follow
recommendations for combating dental erosion:
1. Try to limit unhealthy acidic
substances in your diet. Although some acidic substances are necessary—like
fruit and fruit juices—others, like soft drinks should be consumed in
moderation.
2. When consuming acidic beverages,
try to use a straw. With a straw you can drink your favorite drinks while
avoiding coating your dental enamel in an acidic substance.
3. Rinse your teeth with water
after eating or drinking to neutralize acid.
If you
think you may be suffering from acid erosion, make sure to discuss your
concerns with your dentist. Only a dental professional can help you create an
oral hygiene plan that meets your needs, specifically. Our Glendale dental office is always here to answer your questions or provide more information.