The Acid Truth

THE Acid TRUTH Acid Erosion is the loss of tooth structure due to chemical dissolution by acids found in everyday food and drink. Understanding how tooth erosion effects your teeth and what causes it is the first step to avoiding it! Know Your Enamel Enamel is the mineralised substance that covers the outer layer of your teeth and is the hardest substance in our bodies. Enamel Dentine Gum Pulp Cementum Root Canal Bone 50% as scratch resistant as a diamond, enamel can be up to 2.5mm thick but be careful, once it is destroyed, it will NOT be replaced. The Effects Of Acid Wear The acids in food and Your teeth become drink can weaken the enamel and wear it ¡visibly thinner and can become transparent at the edges. away over time. Tooth enamel dissolves at 5.5 The yellow dentine When enamel wears away the natural shine can become dull. underneath the enamel can become more visible. Know Your Fizzies It's not just carbonated drinks that are acidic. Coffee and fruit juices also fall below the neutral PH level. Fruit juices are among the most acidic. When you take into account that in the uk alone, we consume 70 million cups of coffee a day, it all adds up! Best for teeth Worst for teeth Apple Juice 5.5 Cola/Pepsi 3.4 Tea Milk 7.0 2.3 Diet Cola 3.4 2.5 7.2 6.8 Water Coffee Diet Cola Lemon Juice Watch Your Diet There's also acid in the most healthy of diets. Battery acid has an acidty of 1.0! 2.4 APPLES LIMES 4.0 4.6 3.6 FRUIT JAM TOMATOES SUGAR CARROTS 5.7 6.1 5.5 5.8 6.7 POTATOES BROCCOLLI SUGAR CELERY Managing Acid Erosion Making small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference! Reduce acid intake and Eat alkaline foods such as cut back on high acidity nuts or dairy to nutralise the acidity. foods. Use a fluoride toothpaste 3. Don't brush within 30 and mouthwash to minutes of consuming acidic food or drink. remineralise the enamel. Fluoride is dangerous so never swallow. Sources www.nationalsmilemonth.org www.dickersondentistry.com www.balance-ph-diet.com www.foodsafety.wisc.edu =DentalMax www.dentalmax.co.uk -------~- .-------