We all know that sugary foods can do damage to your teeth by causing cavities, but what about the other major dental threat – acid? Acid is an underestimated threat to your oral health and it’s found in a wide variety of foods, including healthy ones like tomatoes and citrus. Find out more about the foods that are rich in acid and what you can do to minimize the damage from them.
What Does Acid Do to Your Teeth?
As soon as you bite into acidic foods, your teeth become soaked in the corrosive substance. While you may think, “what harm is an orange or a handful of Skittles?”, the answer is dire for the appearance and health of your teeth. By leaving your teeth unbrushed after eating acidic foods, you allow that acid to deteriorate your enamel, leading to a wide range of dental problems.
Signs of Dental Erosion
When enamel rots away, it creates a series of problems for your teeth. One of the earliest signs that your enamel has corroded is discoloration of the teeth. Once your teeth have been impacted by discoloration, the next problem that follows is demineralization, a process that ultimately leaves your teeth sensitive with their dentin exposed. This leads to increasingly sensitive teeth that are prone to pain, and they may require a root canal to save them.
Some Foods Can Protect Your Enamel
Did you know that there are foods that have such a low acidity level that they can protect your teeth? These foods have a high pH level, and they’re excellent for counterbalancing the acidic foods in your diet. Here are some foods that benefit the teeth due to their low acidity:
- Brown Rice
- Whole Grains
- Vegetables
- Eggs
- Apples
- Bananas
- Mangos
- Oatmeal
- Cheese
- Nuts
To minimize damage from acid, try mixing your meals to include foods with a high pH level and low acidity.
What Else Can You Do to Reduce Damage from Acid?
Since acidic foods can eat away at your enamel and cause a chain reaction that further destroys your teeth, it’s important to be mindful of them. The following steps are crucial to preventing damage from foods that are rich in acid.
Attend Dental Cleanings
If you want to keep your teeth strong and healthy, then attending your bi-annual dental cleanings is vital. Not only does the dentist and his team examine your dental condition, but they can take significant steps in repairing any damage that took place. Visiting your dentist is an excellent way to find out if acid has started corroding the enamel of your teeth.
Make Healthy Dietary Decisions
No one recommends that you avoid healthy acidic foods like tomatoes and lemons, but it helps to be mindful of the types of food you’re consuming, and the impact they have on your teeth. If you’re aware that you’ve been consuming acidic or sugary foods, making it a point to clean them within the next few hours can prevent damage to your enamel.
Stay Well-hydrated
Saliva is a major ally to your oral health. It washes away particles, keeps the mouth fresh, and helps prevent tooth decay. Drinking water frequently increases the production of saliva in the mouth, ensuring that this self-cleaning process takes place.
Use a Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride plays a major role in preventing tooth decay and can even repair tooth enamel. Ensure that your toothpaste contains fluoride to begin reaping its many benefits. Alternately, mouth rinses are available with fluoride as well.
Let Dr. Shah Save Your Teeth from the Perils of Acid
Acid damage corrodes your enamel, discolors your teeth, and causes additional sensitivity and pain. Fortunately, a simple visit to Dr. Devang Shah in Dacula, Georgia is all it takes to see whether acid has affected you and to set a course for recovery. We can save teeth that have sustained damage and completely restore your smile. Contact Dental Smiles at Dacula today!
