Protecting your dental enamel can go a long way toward preserving the health and appearance of your smile. Unfortunately, acid erosion will weaken and thin dental enamel over time; that is why it is so important to pay attention to what you are eating and drinking, as well as how you are cleaning your smile. Our Saint Louis dentists are here with some useful information about how acid affects oral health.
Acid exposure can be environmental, meaning that an acidic substance is introduced into mouth. Some commonly consumed acidic substances include:
- Citrus fruits
- Fruit juices
- Soda
- Coffee
- Wine
Additionally, when the oral bacteria that live in your mouth feed on sugars (which they use to grow and multiply) they release acids as a byproduct. In order to minimize the effects of acid on your teeth you want to:
- Get into the habit of rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking
- Consume plenty of water so that your body can produce saliva—there is a reason that dehydration and dry mouth are connected to hard-to-treat bad breath
- Use an appropriately soft-bristled toothbrush to clean while protecting enamel thickness. Talk to your dentist if you aren’t sure what type of brush is right for you
- Wait to brush your smile for 20 to 30 minutes after consuming something acidic (this gives your enamel time to re-mineralize)
- Seek prompt treatment for bruxism—chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching. The enamel-to-enamel pressure that results from bruxism will quickly wear down weakened enamel
It is impossible to totally avoid dental aging and tooth wear. However, there are things that you can do to protect your smile as much as possible. Our Saint Louis family dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have, and to help your whole family smile confidently.