Most people don’t think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. At Advanced Cosmetic Implant & Laser Dentistry, we know that teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need it. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with uninterrupted chemical processes.
The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is comprised of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when it comes in contact with acids.
Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize This process isn’t instantaneous, however.
While the enamel is soft, the tooth is exposed to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. The dentin erodes more quickly. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.
It is apparent that the typical diet is becoming more acidic. The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, foods with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are especially acidic. We don’t recommend eliminating the healthy foods on this list. However, we just want you to be aware of the issue.
Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. Teens who sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their densest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular and dentists are noticing the impact.
If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Increasing saliva production can trigger the remineralization process.
If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or liquids, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with our team at Advanced Cosmetic Implant & Laser Dentistry, call today.
We are located at 600 Broadway Ste 600 in Seattle. We hope you have benefited from this message and look forward to your visit.
Contact Advanced Cosmetic Implant & Laser Dentistry:
206-381-3055
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
600 Broadway Ste 600
Seattle, WA
98122
