Do you know what tooth enamel is? It is the outermost hard layer of your teeth, made from compacted crystals. It’s like a powerful shield for your teeth. Enamel erosion can be very damaging to your oral health. Just imagine what would happen if you took the armor away from soldiers in a battlefield. This erosion can create tooth sensitivity, tooth staining, and blunted, cracked, transparent, or cupped teeth. To combat this problem, here’s what we recommend:
Save acidic products for meals: Instead of snacking on them throughout the day, it’s best to save acidic foods and drinks for meals. Snacking on other non-acidic foods or including them in your meals will help counteract the acidic foods you eat. It will also help reduce overall the quantity of time the acidic product is interacting with your teeth.
Drink water: When you consume an acidic food or beverage, remember to also sip water. This will help rinse away damaging food remnants.
Say no to bubbles: Try to avoid carbonated drinks. You can switch them out with water, milk or tea.
Use a straw: If you must drink acidic beverages, use a straw. This will reduce the likelihood of the acid having contact with your teeth. It’s also best to finish the drink quickly instead of sipping it throughout time.
Wait before brushing: Acid breaks down your tooth enamel and your mouth takes a little time to build it back up again. A such you’ll want to wait at least 30 minutes to brush after you’ve consumed an acidic product. Otherwise, brushing can cause harm to your smile. While you wait, rinse your mouth with tap water.
If you do these things, there’s a strong chance that you can keep your enamel in great shape. If you have any questions or if you would like to learn more, please don’t falter to call our office today at 818-990-5900. Your dentist, Dr. Behzad Abadi, and our dental team are more than happy to help you!