Fruit, yogurt and fruit juices may seem like harmless snacks and beverages, but improper consumption and overuse may lead to devastating and permanent damage to teeth, attendees at the Academy of General Dentistry's 55th annual meeting were told. Dentist David Bartlett explained that these foodstuffs, along with untimely brushing, can cause tooth erosion - the break down of tooth structure caused by the effects of acid. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay. Soft drinks, which contain acids, damage the tooth enamel over time by dissolving the mineral structure and thinning the teeth. Eventually, because of repeated exposure to acid, the tooth's enamel will lose its shape and color and as the damage progresses, the underlying dentin (which is the tissue that makes up the core of each tooth) becomes exposed causing the teeth to look yellow.
To prevent tooth erosion, Bartlett advises patients who eat or drink acidic food or beverages to wait at least twenty minutes before brushing the teeth so as not to destroy the weakened enamel. He also suggests eating acidic foods at certain times, instead of snacking on them throughout the day, in order to minimize the amount of time the acid is on the teeth.
Bartlett cited fruit juices, pickles, fresh fruit, yogurt, honey and raisins as foodstuffs that can lead to irreversible dental erosion. He said women should also beware of habits such as lemon-sucking and swishing soda in the mouth. "It's not what you eat and drink that is important, its how you consume acidic food," he explained.
Early signs of tooth erosion consist of dentin hypersensitivity. In other words, if hot or cold foods and beverages cause pain or sensitivity this is an indication of tooth erosion. Dentists may also recommend daily use of an OTC fluoridated anti-hypersensitivity toothpaste with a neutral pH to help re-harden softened tooth enamel.
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Source: Academy of General Dentistry
