Our daily diets are peppered with acidic foods and drinks—so much so that we may not even realize how these substances are affecting our smiles! That is why our Santa Monica dentists have put together this short explanation of how acid-related damage develops, and what you can do about it.
Some of the commonly consumed acidic culprits are easy to spot—soft drinks, coffee, wine, and more. However, there are some acidic substances that are beneficial for your overall health, but hard on your dental enamel: specifically, citrus fruits and many fruit and vegetable juices. It’s not that you need to (or even can) cut out acid altogether, it’s more a matter of consuming these things thoughtfully.
So, what can you do?
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything other than water
- Refrain from brushing your teeth for at least thirty minutes after you finish eating or drinking—during this period of time your dental enamel is temporarily softer than usual
- Make it a point to consume acidic and sugary substances during specific periods. When you snack or sip on acids continuously, your dental enamel is soft all day. We want to limit the amount of time that your smile is at risk.
- Seek prompt treatment for bruxism, or chronic dental grinding. Bruxism puts an enormous amount of pressure on your dental enamel. Over time the tooth-to-tooth contact, exacerbated by acid exposure, will cause your teeth to become weaker, and your enamel to become thinner.
If you are worried about the effects of oral acids on your smile, our Santa Monica dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have and to help you get on track. Just give our team a call or use the Contact Us page to reach us!