One of the most frustrating things I see in my office is a mouth with rampant decay caused by dental erosion, especially in those that are young.  I know unless there is a change in life-style and new habits are formed, it will be a continual concern for a life-time.  The unfortunate thing is that the destruction I see in the majority of mouths like this could have been prevented.  Frequently consuming foods with a low pH value, like soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, pickles, fresh fruit and yogurt can lead to irreversible dental erosion.  I can spot a person who sips soft drinks throughout the day with a quick look in their mouth.  There will typically be decay all along the gum line.  Dental erosion is the break down of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth from items like those I mentioned above.  Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tooth structure that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay.  It is incredibly strong, but constant exposure to acids will destroy it.

A low pH environment in the mouth helps contribute to dental erosion.  pH (potential of hydrogen) is a standard way to measure the acidity of a substance.  It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14.  A lower pH means that a solution contains more acid.  The higher the pH, the more alkaline (or non-acidic) the solution will be.  When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has a pH of 7, which is neutral.

When food or drink that is acidic is consumed the enamel will soften for a short amount of time. 
Typically, saliva slowly helps to restore the neutrality or natural balance of the acid found in the mouth.  But, if foods high in acid are consumed on an excessive basis, the mouth can't repair itself and the greater chance there is for dental erosion.

As the availability of soft drinks increase, so does the amount of erosion in our population.  The primary way you can decrease the likelihood of erosion is to reduce consumption of sugary sodas, fruit juices and sports drinks.  I tell patients one of the worst things they can do is sip or snack on something all day long.  Chronic exposure is the problem.  If you are going to have a soft drink – drink it and get it over with, don’t sip on it for an extended period of time.   The constant acidic environment can cause irreversible destruction.  This is not only a concern in our youth, but as we age, often times there is more exposure of root surfaces.  The roots aren’t covered by the strong enamel and are much more susceptible to the ravages of the acidic environment.

Vegetarian diets and diets in which fruit comprises more than 2/3 of the total food intake can also make patients more susceptible to erosion.  Another cause of dental erosion is stomach acids introduced into the mouth through vomiting and acid reflux.  No matter what the source of the acids, it all can be bad.  I say all of this to make you think and to exercise caution when you consume certain foods or drinks.  Remember, one of the most important things is to avoid doing any of it over a long period of time.  See you next week!

 Acids found in common foods

• Soft drinks - Phosphoric acid
• Fruit and fruit products - Citric and malic acids
• Fermented products (yogurt) - Lactic acid 
• Grapes and wines - Tartaric acid

 After eating or drinking

• Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow
• Rinse with water for 30 seconds
• Use a fluoride toothpaste