Did you know... too much dietary acid causes tooth erosion?
Dental or tooth erosion is the loss of tooth structure. Unlike with a cavity or decay where a bacterial infection damages the tooth, dental erosion is usually caused by too much acid in our diets.
Why is tooth erosion important?
Erosion is typically has a slower progression compared with decay, but it can be very damaging because it often affects all of your teeth and can lead to;
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
Yellowing or darkening of the teeth.
An increased likelihood of developing a cavity.
What is actually happening?
If our mouths become too acidic (below a pH of 5.5) the mineral from our enamel and dentine is basically washed away. Sometimes this will cause divots, or pits in the surfaces of the teeth which could need to be filled or restored, and teeth may occasionally need to be rebuilt or capped if the tooth loss is significant.
How can tooth erosion be avoided?
When it comes to managing this condition, the best cure is prevention! Understanding that long term consumption of acidic food and drink can impact your oral health is the first step, and being mindful of how we consume them comes a close second.
Some helpful things to consider:
This process takes time to occur, which means regularly drinking acidic drinks (such as soft drink, alcohol, sports drinks, energy drinks) increases your risk.
Diet drinks are often still very acidic.
Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold things is usually the first sign that you may have a problem.
What if I already have erosion?
This condition is something that most dentists help their patients manage on a daily basis. Unless you are particularly concerned about how this condition has affected the appearance of your teeth, the goal of treatment is to eliminate tooth sensitivity, and stop the erosion from getting any worse.
The typical treatment approach involves:
Diet analysis and identification of any risk factors
Desensitisation
Some fillings or restorations may be required if the erosion is significant
It's important to note that if you think your diet is well controlled, but you are experiencing any of these symptoms then a consultation is recommended. Dental erosion is always caused by acid, and identifying the source of this acid is essential. It is not uncommon for patients to experience tooth erosion as a result of acid or gastric reflux, or possibly salivary gland dysfunction. Managing these conditions are not only important for ongoing oral health, but can be important for general health as well.
If you would like to discuss your oral health book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or book online.
To learn more about how your diet affects may affect your dental health check out our articles Did you know… Fructose doesn’t effect insulin the same as refined sugar? and Did you know… Diet soft drink is harmful to oral health?
