Foods and Drinks that cause tooth enamel erosion

Foods and drinks are essential to life, but what is more important is how you consume it rather than what you drink and eat.

Many people consume acidic foods and drinks every day without knowing how those drinks and foods impact their teeth.

Did you know consuming acidic foods and drinks frequently harms your teeth by causing tooth enamel to wear away?

Here is how! Usually, the saliva in your mouth contains calcium that helps remineralize your teeth after consuming drinks or foods that consist of some acids.

But if a lot of acids are present in your mouth, the remineralization process fails. If the remineralization process fails, it will weaken your tooth enamel.

But if a lot of acids are present in your mouth, the remineralization process fails. If the remineralization process fails, it will weaken your tooth enamel.

Signs of tooth erosion

• Teeth sensitivity when you drink or eat cold or hot consumables.
• Your fillings color may change.
• Teeth discoloration, leading to yellow teeth.
• In extreme cases, it results in tooth loss.

If you notice any of these signs, the consumption of certain foods and drinks should be reduced. Here are some foods and drinks that cause tooth enamel erosion.

1) Dried fruits

Prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits contain a good amount of nutrients, but get stuck on your teeth as they are sticky. The sugar that stick on your teeth from the fruit gradually erodes the enamel.

2) Sports drinks

People may think sports drinks boosts energy and are necessary to exercise hardly, but these beverages are filled with acid and sugar. If you consume them while exercising and hold it in your mouth for few seconds, you are offering additional time for those acid to get on your teeth.

3) Sour candy

Any type of candy is not good for teeth, but these citrus flavouring sour candies erode your teeth.

4) Lemon juice

Squirting lemon in water to drink it as lemon juice may looks harmless, but it contains a lot of acid.

5) Oranges and Orange juice

Like lemon, the acidic content in this fruit is very high that can harm your teeth highly.

6) Gummies and Sports gels

Many sports persons use these bites to boost their energy when they play, but the large sugar content in those products can result in tooth enamel erosion.

7) Carbonated drinks

All types of soft drinks, including diet varieties, consist of high acid content and are able to weaken the enamel on your teeth. Bacteria grow on sugar and create a high level of acids that can wear tooth enamel.

Also, look at the flavorings in your drinks. Anything flavored with citrus fruits contains a large number of acids, such as lemonade or limeade.

Tips to protect against enamel erosion

• Use a straw when consuming acidic drinks to avoid direct contact with teeth.
• Brush your teeth after one hour after consuming acidic foods.
• Do not hold soft drinks for a long time in your mouth.
• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks. Also, eat or drink dairy products to neutralize the acids quickly.
• Eat sugar-free gums to produce more saliva which helps wash away food particles naturally.

Always visit your dentist regularly, he/she can tell which foods and drinks to consume and which ones to avoid. Understanding everything about the effects of what you drink and eat on your teeth helps you to keep your smile brighter and healthier at all times.