What You Eat and Drink Can Cause Tooth Erosion – Part One

What Kinds of Food and Drinks To Watch Out For

Did you know that what you eat and drink can impact your teeth?

Tooth erosion, for example, is a permanent damage to the teeth, whereby acids attack and wear away the enamel of the teeth. It can be caused by intrinsic factors, like acid reflux or excessive vomiting. There are also extrinsic, or factors from the environment, such as the food you eat or liquids you drink which may be acidic.  

Sugar isn’t the only diet that can damage your teeth. Acids are more direct and damaging. Foods and beverages that are high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth. This changes the appearance of your teeth and can let in bacteria that can deposit on the eroded surfaces and cause cavities or infection.

What are the signs that will tell you you might have tooth erosion?

You may feel pain or sensitivity when taking hot, cold or sweet drinks. There is a yellowish discoloration on the teeth. If you have fillings, you’d feel a degree of change in them. You become more prone to cavities over time. You might develop an abscess, or lose a tooth in extreme cases. Eventually, you might need fillings, crowns, a root canal, even a tooth removal, or veneers.

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