Your favorite cool drink may leave your teeth feeling clean, but the acid in it might harm your enamel. Soft drinks, citrus juices, energy drinks, and even lemon water contain acids, and over time these acids can destroy the strong protective layer of your teeth.
This is called erosion of tooth enamel and can result in sensitivity, discolouration and changes in tooth shape. Your drinking habits, the frequency of acid exposure on your teeth, and the speed of saliva flow all affect the health of your enamel.
In this guide, you’ll learn how acidic drinks damage your teeth, what indications to look for to determine if you have enamel erosion, and some treatments that can help you keep your smile.
What Is Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Acids remove minerals from the enamel of your teeth, the thick outer covering of each tooth, and attack it. Enamel erosion is not like tooth decay, which is caused by bacteria and their acids, but it can be caused by acids from food, drink or stomach contents touching your teeth.
Enamel is made of minerals, such as calcium and phosphate. The minerals are leached out of the enamel when you eat acid, as it decreases the pH in your mouth. Saliva helps neutralize acids and replace part of the minerals lost, but if acids attack too often, this natural repair process can be blocked.
How Do Acidic Drinks Damage Your Teeth?
Acidic drinks can erode your dental enamel by removing minerals like calcium and phosphate. Your saliva is the protector of your teeth, but regular contact with acids may prevent the recovery of enamel.
Tooth Enamel Softening
Acid makes enamel softer for some time. If you sip acidic liquids throughout the day, your teeth have less chance to recuperate. Cleaning right after a drink might also wear away the weakened enamel.
Mineral Loss From Teeth
Your saliva helps to neutralize acids and replenish some minerals you have lost. But if you drink acidic beverages frequently, your teeth may not have enough time to heal. Repeatedly, over time, this can lead to damage to your enamel that can be permanent.
Heightened Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel covers a softer layer underneath called dentin. When enamel goes away, dentin is exposed, and you may feel a painful twinge when you eat something sweet or drink anything hot, cold or acidic.
Which Drinks Can Cause Enamel Erosion?
Many common beverages include acids that erode enamel. The effect they have depends on their acidity and how often you drink them. Sugar-free drinks can also contribute to erosion.
Soda, Soft Drinks
Colas and other sodas commonly contain phosphoric or citric acid. Enamel can be softened by frequent exposure, and additional sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.
Juices of Citrus Fruits Lemon Water
Citric acid is found in orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lemon water. “Even without sugar added, frequent exposure can help contribute to enamel erosion.”
Energy Drinks and Sports Drinks
They commonly contain citric acid or other acidulants. Frequent intake can harm enamel, and additional sugar can raise the risk of dental decay.
Wine & Other Acidic Drinks
The acid in wine, kombucha, and some flavored liquids can damage the enamel. Look for additional acids on product labels. Don’t sip too often.
Protect your enamel: Drink acidic drinks at mealtimes, rinse with plain water thereafter and wait 30 to 60 minutes before cleaning your teeth.
What Are the Signs of Enamel Erosion?
Enamel degradation is not an overnight occurrence. It may be that you don’t notice it until your teeth begin to feel or look different. For example, you might experience a strong twinge when you drink hot tea, consume ice cream, or have something sweet or sour. As the enamel wears away, you can also notice your teeth looking yellower as the dentin below shows through.
You may detect smooth, shiny spots on your teeth, or the edges of your front teeth may appear thinner and more rounded. The chewing surfaces can also acquire tiny dents, and weakening teeth may break or chip more readily.
These changes don't always mean you have tooth enamel erosion. If your teeth are sensitive more than normal or you notice changes to the way your teeth look, see your dentist. They can find out the cause and suggest proper care.
Can You Repair Damaged Tooth Enamel?
Once erosion loses its structure, your body can't regrow the enamel. But early mineral loss may be reversed by remineralization, a technique that helps return minerals to weakening enamel.
This process can be helped by fluoride toothpaste, fluoride treatments from your dentist, and saliva. These techniques can help strengthen poor enamel and help prevent further mineral loss, but there’s no substitute for lost enamel.
Visible damage from erosion or continuous sensitivity, your dentist will suggest therapy based on severity. There are options such as fluoride treatments, dental bonding, fillings, or crowns to safeguard the teeth that are impacted.
Enamel Erosion Treatment Options
The therapy for enamel erosion depends on the amount of enamel lost and whether the damage is interfering with your comfort in daily life.
Fluoride Treatment
Your dentist can provide fluoride varnish or other professional fluoride treatments to help strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity. Fluoride is most effective if there is not much loss of tissue from erosion.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can be used to cover exposed areas with tooth-colored composite resin if erosion has changed the form or look of a tooth. This can help to protect the teeth and restore its shape.
Fillings and Crowns
In extreme situations of erosion fillings or crowns may be needed to replace the damaged surfaces of the tooth to safeguard the remaining dental structure. Your dentist will assess the damage and give you a suitable treatment.
Treatment of the Cause
Your dentist may also work with you on habits or conditions that lead to erosion, such as frequent acidic drinks, acid reflux, or repetitive vomiting. Working on the situation helps prevent additional damage.
A dental exam can allow you to assess how much enamel you’ve lost and what your treatment plan should contain.
How Can You Protect Your Teeth From Acidic Drinks?
You don’t have to sacrifice your favorite acid beverages to protect your teeth. A few modifications to how you drink them can assist. After the acidic drink, rinse it down with some plain water to wash the acid away. Try to consume it with a meal rather than throughout the day in small sips. Using a straw can help keep the drink away from your front teeth too.
The best advice is to wait 30 to 60 minutes after drinking an acidic beverage before brushing, to allow your enamel to recover. Use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your enamel and replenish the minerals you have lost.
If you have sensitive teeth or regularly consume acidic drinks, tell your dentist at your next visit. Your dentist can spot the signs of enamel erosion and tell you how to protect your teeth long before serious damage occurs.
Conclusion
If you drink soda, citric acid, or other acidic drinks often enough, they can erode your dental enamel. Over time, this damage may result in sensitivity, discoloration and changes in tooth shape.
Cut down on frequent use of acidic drinks to safeguard your teeth. Rinse with water afterwards. Use fluoride toothpaste. Wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing.
If you notice signs of enamel erosion, or you have ongoing tooth sensitivity, don’t brush it aside. Call Paragon Dental in Modesto to set up an appointment, get your teeth checked, and talk about the proper enamel erosion therapy for you.
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