 |
|
|
|
|
Acid can cause teeth to erodeDear Dr. Reitz: I am 28 years old and never needed to have a tooth filled. My dentist told me that the chewing surfaces of my back teeth are cupping out and wearing away. I don't think I grind my teeth while sleeping. Is there anything I can do to prevent further wear? - Dennis Dear Dennis: You are describing a dental condition termed acid erosion. Dental cavities are also caused by acid, but the acid that causes cavities is produced by bacteria in plaque, while the acid of erosion is derived from certain types of food. It's common knowledge that sugar promotes tooth decay; also, acidic foods erode teeth by removing calcium. In the past, bruxism, the unconscious habit of grinding the teeth while sleeping, was attributed to the wear of the chewing surfaces of teeth. The cupped-out flattened surface you describe is now considered by dental professionals to be caused by acidic foods such as cola drinks and fruit. As a child, I remember my elementary school teacher telling our class that cola was corrosive enough to dissolve a nail and would do the same to our teeth. Although cola drinks are acidic, the erosion risk from grapefruit, lemons, oranges, grapes, cranberries and chewable vitamin C is even higher than that of cola. Eating an acidic fruit causes an immediate drop in oral pH that continues for a few minutes after the fruit is swallowed. When the oral pH is low the teeth become more soluble and more susceptible to wear. You may think tooth brushing following an acidic snack is helpful, but the mechanical action of the brush on the softened tooth surfaces causes significant abrasion. Children drinking soda for the first time are often bothered by the carbonation. To prevent the feeling of carbonation in the throat they sometimes hold and swirl the soda in their mouth before swallowing. This bathing of the teeth in soda is called "coke swishing" and is often responsible for erosion in children. If acid erosion is the cause of your tooth wear, dietary modification such as limiting the frequency of snacking is the best prevention. Brushing before meals with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using toothpaste and mouth rinse containing fluoride, and using a low-abrasive toothpaste with remineralizing action are some additional things you can do to prevent further erosion. The column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
2010. All rights reserved. |
