A recent study by the Oral Health Foundation has highlighted the worrying lack of awareness about Dental Erosion and its causes.

Dental Erosion is the softening and loss of the enamel that provides a protective layer for the sensitive dentine which is caused by prolonged exposure to acid.

Every time you eat or drink anything acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes softer for a short while and loses some of its mineral content (remember sugar also reacts with bacteria to generate acid). Your saliva does slowly nullify an amount of acid however, more frequent acid attacks don’t give your mouth the chance to repair itself. As more fragments of enamel are lost the surface of your teeth is gradually worn away leading to tooth sensitivity and pain.

The study identified relatively low awareness about what lifestyle habits might have a negative impact on dental health such as drinking sports drinks (58%) and snacking throughout the day (41%). Similarly, less than half of those that took part in the survey identified acid reflux (42%) or Bulimia (35%) as risks to dental health (both conditions produce high levels of acid as a side-effect).

Less than a third of participants were aware of the signs of dental erosion: tooth sensitivity (32%), tooth thinning (28%), tooth yellowing, (20%), tooth cracking (20%), or tooth transparency (17%).

Whilst dental erosion can be a problem there are plenty of things we can do to look after our teeth and avoid it: only consuming drinks with a higher acid or sugar content at meal times, brushing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste an hour after a meal, using straws so drinks go to the back of the mouth, chewing sugar free gum to produce more saliva and drinking plenty of water between meal times to rinse bacteria away.

If you would like to find out more about dental health come and see us at Kilbarchan Dental Practice, call 01505 704969

You will also find find lots more free tips and advice on this website including the answer details of the sugary foods and drinks that are bad for your teeth and the bad effects of sugar as well as guides on how to look after your teeth