Learn more about acid damage and how it is treated. Contact Tandliv today if you have further questions about acid damage or want to book an appointment.
What is acid damage?
Acid damage (erosion) to the teeth is an irreversible etching of the outer layer of the tooth either due to external (exogenous) factors such as food and drink or due to internal (endogenous) factors such as vomiting. Depending on the severity of the acid damage, it is more or less superficial. Very superficial acid damage is not visible to the naked eye and is not a cause for concern, but simply part of the natural wear and tear on the teeth. However, if teeth are exposed to a sustained high level of acid, it can cause serious and irreversible damage to the teeth.
Why do you get acid damage?
Acid damage to teeth is usually caused by a high intake of acidic food and drinks. The most common cause of acid damage is soft drinks such as soda and lemonade, but juices, wine and sparkling water also corrode teeth. Sweets and fruit are also acidic foods that can cause acid damage if consumed in large quantities. When it comes to fruits, some are more harmful to teeth than others, for example citrus fruits and apples are more corrosive than bananas. So it's not only unhealthy and sour-tasting foods that are acidic and can cause acid damage.
There are other causes of tooth decay besides food and drink, including frequent vomiting. For example, bulimics and pregnant women can suffer severe acid damage to their teeth (if they vomit for a long period of time due to nausea). Staying in chlorinated water or chemical environments for long periods of time can also lead to tooth decay, but this is much rarer.
What does acid damage look like?
As previously mentioned, acid damage is an etching of the tooth surface. Whether you can see acid damage or not depends on the severity, which is why it can be difficult for non-dentists to detect acid damage.
Teeth naturally have different microscopic and macroscopic surface structures that give the tooth a slight relief and a lot of small surfaces that reflect light. These surface structures are blurred or disappear completely on acid-damaged teeth, making the teeth appear "flat", even and smooth on the surface. This causes light to be reflected as large surfaces instead of small ones. Furthermore, the tooth will gradually become thinner and shorter as the outer layer of the tooth disappears. This makes the teeth more vulnerable to fractures, as small pieces of the tooth can be broken off more easily. The cutting edge of the front teeth is particularly vulnerable. In severe cases, the tooth can become so thin that the nerve (located inside the tooth) becomes sensitive to cold and heat, which can be very painful and extremely annoying.
How do I know if I have acid damage?
If you drink large amounts of soft drinks on a daily basis or eat a lot of acidic fruits, sweets or other acidic foods and drinks, there is a risk that you have or will develop acid damage. Similarly, if you frequently vomit or are in an acidic environment (e.g. chlorine fumes or airborne chemicals), you are at risk of acid damage. Many people don't know they have acid damage but visit the dentist because of tooth pain - typically associated with consuming cold or hot food and drinks. Others visit the dentist because they notice that their teeth have started to crack and look short and "flat". Contact your dentist if you are unsure if you have acid damage.
How is acid damage treated?
Mild acid damage is treated by removing the cause, typically by stopping or limiting the consumption of the food and drink that has caused the damage. If the injury is caused by vomiting, the cause must be identified and treated. More severe acid damage can be treated with plastic fillings or veneers to restore the teeth to their original appearance and relieve any pain. Acid-damaged teeth will - regardless of subsequent treatment - always be weakened due to the loss of tooth substance. Any treatment is therefore pointless if the cause of the acid damage is not removed, as the loss of tooth substance will continue.
What can I do myself?
It's important to remember that once the tooth has been acid damaged, the lost tooth substance cannot be regained. Therefore, the best treatment is preventive.
- Avoid too much acidic food and drink.
- Drink your soda all at once, not in small sips over a long period of time.
- Drink water or milk after consuming acidic food - it neutralizes the acid.
- Don't brush your teeth right before or right after consuming sweets, sodas, fruit or other acidic foods or drinks. Brushing beforehand removes the protective membrane (pellicle) that surrounds the tooth, brushing right afterwards removes the outermost microscopic layer of tooth substance, exacerbating wear. Wait an hour before brushing.
- Do not brush your teeth after vomiting, just rinse your mouth with water.
- If you suspect acid damage, use a toothpaste with a low abrasive content and consult your dentist if necessary.
