What’s Eating Your Teeth

Sugar is known to be bad for your teeth, as it feeds the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Fewer people are aware of the fact that acid is just as harmful to teeth and that exposure to high acid levels can cause erosion.

It is not a condition or a disease. Acid dissolves the hard tissue of the teeth. It begins by removing the outer layers of enamel. It can reveal the dentine, the soft tissue that lies beneath the enamel, or the pulp in advanced stages.

Some signs that your teeth are seriously eroded include chalkiness, pitting, and opaqueness. In some cases, this can expose fillings and make the tooth feel very sensitive.

Acid wash

Acid levels in the mouth that are higher than normal can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical conditions and lifestyle choices. However, the most common reason for tooth erosion is the repeated consumption of foods and beverages containing acids.

Beverages that have pH levels lower than 5.5 are considered to be acidic. Soft drinks, energy beverages, fruit juices, and cordials are all acidic. The pH scale is used to measure acidity. It ranges from 2 (highly acidic) to 7 (neutral) and 13 (highly alkaline).

It’s not just a question of pH. The mix of chemicals that make up a drink determines if it’s harmful to teeth. Chelators are chemicals that bind and trap other chemicals. They cause tooth erosion because they remove calcium from the teeth.

Soft drinks can contain high levels of acid that causes tooth erosion. Daniel Henzell/Flickr, CC BY-NC

Salivary flow and the frequency of exposure to acids or chelators can also have an impact. A healthy amount of saliva will help neutralize and dilute acid.

What are some of the most common drinks that can cause your teeth to be eaten?

Soft drinks

Soft drinks can have pH levels as low as 2,4. These drinks may contain high amounts of phosphoric (ingredient 338), citric (330), or sodium citrate (331). Citric acid or citrate is found in drinks with lemon or lime flavors. Phosphoric acids are mostly found in colas. These compounds are all calcium chelators.

Sugar-free soft drinks, marketed as “zero” or diet versions, are marketed as healthier alternatives. Although sugar is not listed on the label, acidic additives are still present. A study shows that sugared soft drinks and sugar-free ones cause similar levels of tooth erosion.

Wine

Wine can be highly acidic and even erosive at pH levels of three. In a study, researchers found that tooth erosion is a serious occupational hazard for wine tasters.

Some people debate whether red or white wine is more erosive. The acidity level determines the erosive power of wine, not its color.

The acidity of a wine can have a significant impact on its erosive properties. Acidity levels vary from wine to wine. Ken Hawkins/Flickr CC-BY

Drink plenty of plain water (fluoridated), and enjoy your wine with a calcium-rich piece of cheese.

Coffee and other drinks containing caffeine

Caffeine reduces saliva production, which increases the risk of tooth erosion. Drink plenty of water after or at the same time as you consume coffee, tea, or chocolate.

Sports drinks

Researchers and dentists are increasingly concerned that sports drinks may cause tooth erosion. This is because research has shown sportspeople have higher rates of dental decay than the average. This may be the result of drinking acidic sports beverages at a time when their effects are exacerbated because they occur during and immediately after exercise.

A study that examined the impact of eight sports drinks on enamel revealed all but two to cause significant surface loss. The two drinks that did not have this effect were those with a higher calcium and pH.

Treatment and prevention

What can you do to prevent your teeth from falling out because you have a bad drinking history?

A dentist can treat early erosion with fluoride and a calcium phosphate source that is bio-available. In cases where the tooth has lost its surface, a filling or even a crown may be required.

If you drink acidic drinks through a straw, the amount of liquid retained in your mouth will be lessened. Hendrik Dacquin/Flickr, CC BY

Tooth erosion increases the risk of decay. It is important to treat the decline as soon as possible. There are many ways to reduce and neutralize the effects of acidic drinks on teeth.

Water is essential, especially between meals.

Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking sugary or acidic beverages can cause the tooth enamel to become softer. Wait an hour after drinking water to rinse your mouth.

Drinking acidic drinks at mealtimes will neutralize the acid. This is because salivary flow increases when you eat.

Soft drinks, fruit drinks, and sports drinks can be consumed through a straw to reduce the amount of liquid retained in your mouth.

Sugar-free gum is best (especially one that contains bio-available calcium-phosphate), as it can increase saliva production and flush out acids.

Beware of claims that beverages without sugar are healthy for your teeth. To determine if a drink will be acidic, check the ingredient list for food acids.

Talk to your dentist if you believe you are at risk of erosion. These products contain calcium phosphate and fluoride to restore calcium and help prevent dental caries.