What you need to know about acid erosion
Acid erosion is an often painful condition that affects many Canadians, yet isn't something a lot of us know much about. In recognition of Oral Health Month, Yahoo Canada Shine recently spoke with Dr. Amin Babul, a Toronto, ON-based dentist to get the low down on everything you need to know about acid erosion. Here's what he had to say:
What is acid erosion?
Acid wear is the weakening and gradual wearing away of tooth enamel caused by the acids in an everyday, modern diet. Acid erosion is a common condition. In fact, an extensive study revealed one in three people are affected by acid wear.
Modern lifestyles and 21st century dietary habits can often mean an increase in the amount of acid-rich foods and drinks we consume day-to-day. In fact, the ProNamel Acid Truth survey reveals that 81 per cent of Canadians eat highly-acidic foods on a daily basis. Each time teeth are exposed to acidic food or drinks, the acids can weaken the enamel as it loses minerals, making it easier for the enamel to wear away.
How does it happen?
Acid wear is initiated by the introduction of acid to the enamel of the teeth. The acid acts to weaken the enamel and further mechanical action of teeth grinding, hard brushing and abrasive diet can lead to a damaging breakdown of the enamel. Loss of enamel cannot be recovered and if the problem continues, it can often lead to chronic pain and sensitivity, infection and in extreme cases; loss of teeth.
Each time teeth are exposed to acidic food or drinks, the acids can weaken the enamel as it loses minerals, making it easier for the enamel to wear away.
Also see: What your mouth can tell you about your health
How can you tell if you have it?
Only a dental healthcare professional will be able to see the five signs of acid wear:
Weak: The acids in everyday food and drink can weaken enamel, making it easier to wear away.
Thin: As more enamel wears away, your teeth can become visibly thinner.
Transparent or see-through: As the enamel thins, the edges of your teeth can appear transparent or see-through.
Yellow: As your weakened enamel is worn-away, the yellow layer underneath can become more visible.
Dull: As the enamel wears away, your teeth may lose their shine, making them appear dull. Additionally, pain and sensitivity often accompanies even the mildest cases. Therefore, this can also be viewed as one of the signs of acid wear.
Also see: Spring clean your health (and home) with this weekend to-do list
What should you do if you do have acid erosion?
There are a number of preventative measures that you can do to help protect your enamel against the effects of acid wear.
Make an appointment to see your dentist. They will be able to assess levels of risk likely from your diet, brushing habits and if you are grinding your teeth. This will help them diagnose if your teeth are at risk or if you are suffering from effects of acid wear.
Altering damaging dietary habits can also help to minimize the amount or duration of the acid attack on the enamel.
Using a fluoridated toothpaste can help to prevent acid wear. However, there are toothpastes such as Pronamel that contain a low abrasion formulation specifically designed to combat the effects of acid wear and help re-harden weakened enamel by building a protective barrier that insulates the nerve.
Acid wear is irreversible. Once enamel is gone, it is gone for good.
For more information on the potential health risk of using mouth wash, check out the video below.
