Many of the foods and beverages that we love the most do
terrible things to our teeth. For example, coffee stains the teeth and leaves
us with bad breath. Other beverages and foods are capable of destroying the
outer layer of enamel on the tooth. Dental enamel is a very thin layer of hard
tissue on the outside of the tooth that assists in maintaining shape and
structure, while also preventing the tooth from wearing down.
Acid is the number one enemy of tooth enamel. A large body
of dental research suggests that people who eat and drink foods that have low
pH values, or high acidities, are the most likely to develop irreversible tooth
erosion.
Some foods that are seen as being healthy are also highly
acidic. Fruit and fruit products are high in both citric and malic acids. This
means that as healthy as fruits are for the rest of the body, they are not
particularly good for a person’s teeth. Other problematic foods include soft
drinks because of their phosphoric acid; fermented products like yogurt for
lactic acid; and wine because of tartaric acid.
Just because a person’s teeth have already started eroding
does not mean that all hope is lost. It is not a go-ahead to continue
destroying one’s teeth. If a person cares about their teeth and also loves acidic
foods, there are things that can be done to prevent further damage. Using an
alkaline or neutral tooth paste and mouthwash can help, as can chewing
sugar-free gum after meals to help increase salivary flow dilute the acids on
the teeth. Topical fluoride mouth gels and rinses can also help.
Contact Us
If your tooth enamel has been damaged due to years of consuming
soda, fruit juice, or yogurt, contact the Chicago
family dentists of Advanced Family Dental Associates at 773-767-1554 to
learn how we can help.