When it comes to personal and dental care, most people are more focused on enjoying a varied, healthy diet than they are about the pH levels of the foods and drinks they consume. Unfortunately, certain foods and beverages are acidic enough to hurt your dental enamel, causing problems your family dentist might notice during your next checkup. Here is a little more information about this phenomenon and what you can do to protect your smile. 

Understanding Acid Erosion

How Do Acidic Foods and Drinks Hurt Your Teeth?

Foods and drinks with a low pH, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, smoothies, hot chocolate, and soda, can soften the dental enamel, making it easier to remove this strong, white surface material during everyday brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, dental enamel isn’t easy to replace, and erosion can eventually lead to faster dental decay since dentin is more porous and prone to damage. Family dentists also explain that eating acidic foods can make the teeth appear more yellow since the underlying dentin is a darker color. 

How Can You Prevent Acid Erosion? 

One of the best ways to prevent acid erosion is eating a varied diet and removing acidic components from your meals. For instance, instead of drinking ice water with lemon, omit the lemon slice and quench your thirst with unsweetened, unflavored ice water.

Family dentists also encourage their patients to avoid sweetened or carbonated beverages, which tend to be more acidic and speed up enamel erosion. If you have to eat a food item or beverage that has a high acid content, consider rinsing your mouth with clean water afterward to neutralize the pH level.

If you suspect that you have been having problems with demineralization and acid erosion, don’t wait to seek the help of the family dentists at Christopher F. Heck, DMD - Montgomery General Dentistry. With updated technology and a commitment to personal, professional dental care, these experts can help you to prevent new dental problems and resolve old issues. Find out more about how they can help by visiting their website or calling the east Cincinnati office at (513) 794-1884.