Many people know that drinking fruit juice and eating candy can cause tooth cavity. However, forming tooth cavity is not the only way to damage a tooth. Acid erosion can cause damage to the tooth enamel. Today, we will talk about what acid erosion is.
Acid erosion occurs when we ingest food or beverage containing acidic ingredient. For example, grape fruit juice, lemon juice, orange juice and soda are some beverages containing acidic contents. If the tooth encounters repeated exposure to the acid in the fruit juices, those acid can erode the enamel of the tooth, thereby weakens the tooth structure making it susceptible to bacteria attack. Weakened enamel may progress into tooth cavity.
Teenagers often develop these type of tooth cavity from acid erosion. Drinking soda and acidic fruit juice affect their teeth. Initially, the teeth will become sensitive to changes in temperature. Slowly, the small pits will develop into tooth cavity.
My advice is to refrain from ingesting excessive acidic beverages and soda. Optimal dental hygiene helps to cleanse out the acid and food debris. Mouth rinse containing fluoride can help strengthen the teeth and minimize the negative effect of acid on tooth enamel.
However, if tooth cavity is formed, please come to see a dentist. As an experienced cosmetic dentist, I would check and treat the cavity, and deliver a pleasing result.
Written by Daniel Tee, DDS, MS
Practicing Cosmetic Dentist Serving Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa, and Gilbert Arizona
