Upon hearing the word “acid,” the first thought that popped up in your mind would have been that “acids” are the various chemicals you saw when you were little in the science lab in school. Or you might have thought that it is the thing which causes indigestion and heartburn. However, in reality, “acids” play a crucial role in our oral health.

While our diet comprises most foods that have low acidity, some foods and drinks have high levels of acidity. Dr. Farhat adds that some can cause severe damage to your oral health. Foods and drinks with high levels of acid can cause major damage to our enamel and can also cause dental erosion.

How do Acids Affect Our Oral Health?

As acids damage the enamel of our teeth, it becomes a massive problem for your teeth because, without the enamel, our teeth are vulnerable to damage. For every acidic food or drink we take, the enamel on the surface of our teeth becomes softer for a short while, and it loses some of its mineral content.

Enamel is the hard, protective coating of our tooth, which acts as a safeguard for the sensitive dentine underneath. As mentioned above, when the enamel is softened, it leaves the sensitive dentine underneath exposed, which can be the cause of sensitivity.

The most common types of acids in the foods we consume daily are phosphoric acids, carbonic acids, and citric acids.

Fizz

Fizziness is the most obvious sign that you can see that will tell you that what you are about to drink contains high concentrations of acids. The most popular acidic drinks are fizzy drinks, sodas, carbonated drinks, and pops. While you might be thinking that diet drinks are safe, but they too are dangerous for your oral health.

Some types of alcohol are also acidic in nature like cider, white wine, beer, and alcopops. Dr. Ben Kacos, an emergency dentist in Shreveport, LA, adds that these fizzy drinks are often damaging to your enamel. Too much of them can also lead to diabetes and other health problems. 

Fruits

Fruits are an integral part of a balanced diet and are known to be quite good for your health, so you might be shocked to find out that fruits also contain acids. Furthermore, fruits contain citric acids, which can lead to dental erosion.

The worst of these are citrus fruits, which have a lower pH level, which means that they have a higher concentration of acids. The most acidic fruits are lemon, grapes, grapefruit, plums, limes, and blueberries.

Now you might be thinking that it is best to remove all these from your diet, but that would not be such a great idea because they are very nutritious, and they provide your body with what it needs. So, Dentists in Sterling Heights recommend eating the fruit instead of drink it. Fruits are packed with vitamins, fiber, and minerals.

To learn more tips about your oral health, contact us at Dental One Care. Dr. Fadi Farhat and his team are happy to help you in any way we can.