Acidic erosion of teeth

Causes

  • Frequent intake of acidic food or beverages such as fruit juice, sports drink, soft drink, yogurt, red wine, white wine etc., will erode the enamel surface of teeth.
  • Acids in vomit will erode the teeth if a person frequently throws up.

  • Pregnant women who frequently eat pickles, dried plums, etc., will put their teeth under acidic attack.

    Photograph showing some kinds of acidic food and beverages that can erode the enamel of teeth.

Consequences of acidic erosion of teeth

  • When enamel is eroded, dentine will be exposed, this may lead to tooth sensitivity. There may be sharp pain when drinking or eating hot, cold, sour, and sweet food or beverages, or when the tooth is touched during brushing or flossing.

    Photograph of the longitudinal section of a tooth with exposed dentine.
  • If the acidic erosion is severe, the pulp will be affected and it will cause severe pain.

Mangement

  • If the condition is mild, the dentist will apply topical fluoride on the surface of the tooth. If the condition is severe, the dentist will place a filling or a crown to cover the entire tooth.
  • Using desensitizing toothpaste can help relieve tooth sensitivity. You should first consult your dentist before using this type of toothpaste.

Prevention

  • Avoid frequent intake of acidic food or beverages.
  • Use a straw to drink, which helps to reduce contact between acidic beverages and teeth.
  • Do not intentionally induce vomiting to lose weight. There are a lot of slimming methods, such as slimming exercise.