When I speak to my patients I always discuss dietary habits. It has a huge impact on your dental health, especially the effects of acid erosion. This is when your teeth are worn away by acid that is either swallowed or brought back up (more about that later!).
Here are 5 must know facts about acid erosion:
- Drinking anything sparkly or fizzy is acidic. Yes, that includes sparkly water and lager. The fizz is carbonic acid, so try to restrict acidic foods, drinks, sodas to meal times. It reduces the number of acid attacks on your teeth in the day.
- NEVER brush your teeth straight after drinking fresh OJ or eating a grapefruit in the morning. You’re brushing acid into your teeth- allow at least 45 minutes before brushing.
- Finishing a meal with cheese or milk can help neutralise the acid in the mouth faster.
- Indigestion/ heart burn/ acid reflux/ bulimia- When acid from your stomach is regurgitated into the mouth it can cause severe tooth loss. Acid reflux can often happen when sleeping.
- Chewing vitamin C tablets or drinking effervescent Berocca daily will damage your teeth. Try swallowing the tablets whole or drinking the liquid through a straw which helps the liquid go to the back of the mouth.
Acid erosion can appear as shallow hollows near the top of the font teeth and small ditches on your back molar teeth. They can lead to tooth decay and sensitivity if not caught early. To ensure you don’t have acid erosion and to help you prevent it damaging your teeth visit your dentist as recommended. We are here to help!
Time Dental– Private dental care at its best