Tips for Preventing Everyday Tooth Erosion

Shiny white and beautiful teeth not only improve our smile but also allow us to eat and digest our food efficiently. But have you ever wondered what would happen if you did not look after your oral hygiene and stopped brushing and flossing your teeth? When you ignore your oral health for a long time, the harmful bacteria inside your mouth attack your teeth and cause erosion as well as dental infections. Erosion refers to the loss of tooth structure due to exposure to acidic substances, and is the single most important factor behind cavities and dental infections.

Below are common culprits in tooth erosion, and tips on how to combat them

Acidic Drinks

As soon as you consume any acidic drink such as carbonated beverages or alcohol, the pH inside the oral cavity immediately drops (becomes acidic). This results in an increased removal of minerals from the dental enamel. The loss of minerals from tooth enamel results in the gradual weakening of the tooth structure, making the teeth prone to the development of cavities and other dental infections.

Since it’s damned near impossible to avoid acidic drinks these days, we need to take steps to minimize their effects on our teeth. After you consume an acidic beverage, you should brush your teeth after about an hour, or if that is not possible, you should at least rinse your mouth with water. If you immediately brush your teeth, you would actually be brushing away the already weakened tooth enamel layer. Brushing your teeth about an hour after having a drink ensures that the acidity of the oral cavity has normalized, and the enamel has restored it’s hardness. Additionally, you want to brush after such beverages as soda to help prevent the sugars from adhering to teeth and further lowering the intra-oral pH.

Wine

Alcoholic drinks can damage your teeth in several ways. First, the sugars and acids present in the wine can cause tooth demineralization. Secondly, alcohol causes dehydration of the oral cavity, resulting in the development of bad breath as well as cavities. Finally, alcoholic drinks can stain your teeth and any fillings. The best way to prevent any damage to your teeth after drinking wine is to brush your teeth afterwards, following the same routine as you would for acidic drinks. Rinse your mouth, wait an hour, then brush.

Lemon

Lemon juice is actually quite acidic, and can destroy the protective enamel layer of the teeth by stripping its minerals. Since there are many health benefits to lemons, including its Vitamin C content and antibacterial properties, we want to make sure we can enjoy the benefits of lemons while minimizing any potential damage to our oral health. The best way to prevent tooth erosion is to clean your teeth whenever you have lemon water or a lemonade — rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking citrusy beverages. Drinking lots of fresh water will also ensure that the acid which adheres to the teeth is flushed away. Follow the same routine as you would for any acidic drink — Rinse your mouth, wait an hour, then brush.

Tea/Coffee

Coffee culture is so ubiquitous, that it is getting increasingly tough to refrain from having a cup or two or five. While tea is a good alternative, it tends to have similar effects on the oral cavity as does coffee. While having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning helps to provide that delicious energy boost and awaken our senses, drinking tea and coffee can stain your teeth. However, if you simply remember to clean your teeth after drinking tea or coffee, you can greatly reduce the prevalence of coffee/tea related stains the teeth. Coffees and teas are also acidic, so remember — Rinse your mouth, wait an hour, then brush.

Diet

Many of our patients have very good oral hygiene but because of acid in their diet or medical problems such as acid reflux disease, bulimia, or throwing up after binge drinking will result in severe erosion to the dental enamel. If you consume a lot of acidic foods, it is strongly advised that you review and optimize your diet. Additionally, if you suspect any eating disorder or disease may be the cause of tooth erosion — see a dentist as soon as possible to work up a plan to prevent irreversible damage, and protect your teeth from the detriments of acid wear.

Optimize Your Daily Routine

What to do at Bedtime

Brush — If you’re too lazy to brush your teeth at night, a thick layer of plaque will develop on your teeth overnight which can lead to tooth erosion. If you’re going to bed right after eating dinner, and you’ve consumed wine or tea or other acidic beverage and an hour has not yet passed, then at the very least take the time to floss, making sure to remove plaque from the gum line and in between the teeth. Additionally, you want to rinse your mouth very well with water or mouthwash while swishing vigorously.

Floss — you should floss your teeth at least once every day. The best time for flossing your teeth is in the evening before bed. However, you can also choose another additional time in the day to floss, should you feel the need.

Brushing your teeth before going to bed and immediately after waking up must be a part of your regular oral hygiene routine.

What to Do in the Morning

Brush your teeth Before Doing Anything Else! If you love your teeth and want them to remain sparkling white for life, then you should take your oral hygiene routine very seriously. The first thing that you should do after getting up brush your teeth. DO NOT eat anything in the morning without first brushing your teeth because you would essentially be ingesting all the harmful bacteria that matured in your mouth overnight along with your food if you eat without brushing.

Enjoy a Wholesome Breakfast — sticking to a healthy and balanced meal for your breakfast will not only enable you to remain active throughout the day, but the essential minerals and vitamins will make your teeth stronger and more resistant against dental infections.

Remember, your teeth will erode if you are not careful about your oral hygiene and diet. Therefore, if you look after your teeth, and ensure you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet, you can keep dental problems at bay.