Preventing Tooth Erosion Caused by Acidic Food and Beverages

We all know that eating too many sweets and sugary food isn’t good for your teeth, but did you know that acidic foods aren’t good for your teeth either? Particular food and drinks you consume daily may be harming your teeth.

The high acidity in food and teeth can wear away the enamel. This makes you more susceptible to tooth decay, discoloration, and sensitivity. If you wish to save up on teeth whitening sessions in the long run, you may want to lessen your consumption of acidic food and drinks!

This article will run you through the correlation between acidic foods and your oral health.

How Acidic Food Affects Your Oral Health

We often associate acidic food and drinks, such as fruits and fruit juices, with health and wellness. However, they can harm your teeth by increasing your risk of tooth erosion. This means the enamel or outer covering of the teeth wears away, causing discoloration, gingivitis, and many other problems.

Some symptoms of tooth erosion include:

• Being sensitive to and feeling pain when eating or drinking hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages
• The yellowing of teeth as the worn away enamel shows the underlying dentin
• The teeth appear rounded or sanded at the edges as the protective enamel wears away
• The front teeth look translucent around the edges
• The appearance of cracks on the teeth or the teeth feeling rougher than they used to
• The appearance of dents on the surface of the teeth, especially where you chew

In severe cases of tooth erosion, you may require dental implants or dentures to replace the damaged teeth.

Which Acidic Food and Drinks Can Affect Your Teeth?

Soda drinks are the most common source of acid in the Western diet. When you drink a soda, the acidity level will affect your teeth. However, it is not just the fizzy drinks that are acidic, but also the fruit juices and other beverages, such as:

• Fruit juices like apple, lemon, and orange juice
• Powdered fruit drinks
• Flavored tea and water
• Sports drinks

Likewise, some nutritious foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes are also high in acid.

Non-acidic Options

You don’t have to fully let go of flavor in your drinks and meals to prevent tooth erosion. There are non-acidic food and drink options that are also good for your oral health. You may want to consider the following:

• Items with soy, such as miso, soybeans, tofu, and tempeh
• Milk and unsweetened yogurt
• Herbal teas
• Herbs and spices
• Beans and lentils
• Whole grains

Reducing the Risk of Tooth Erosion

Protecting your teeth does not have to mean entirely excluding acid from your diet. You can try the following to help protect your teeth:

• Include the acidic foods and drinks as part of a broader meal instead of consuming them alone. This helps neutralize the acid.
• Wash down the acidic foods and beverages with a gulp of water.
• Consume acidic drinks with a straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
• Brush your teeth within 30 minutes after consuming acidic food and rinse your mouth with water.

Conclusion

Acidic food and drinks can harm your teeth in more ways than one. If you are looking to maintain healthy teeth and gums, it is better to limit the consumption of acidic food and drinks. You may also want to explore other alternative options.

Are you looking for an affordable dentist near Ypsilanti to help ensure your oral health? Dental House MI offers preventive dentistry to keep your teeth and body healthy. Make your appointment today!