It makes sense that your diet can affect your dental health. After all, drinking sodas and eating candy has always been an easy way to get a cavity. However, some foods are more inconspicuously sugary than others, and very sugary foods can create an acidic pH in the mouth which can erode your tooth enamel.

Your tooth enamel is actually the strongest substance in your body because it needs to protect your teeth against daily wear and tear and extreme temperatures. Daily erosion from acidic foods can contribute to the breakdown of the enamel which can lead to sensitivity and other dental problems.

Here are just a few foods that are considered highly acidic due to their sugar content:

 

• Pickles and other pickled vegetables
• Peanut Butter
• White Bread
• Jellies and jams
• Orange juice, apple juice, and other fruit juices

 
You don’t need to stop eating these acidic foods completely, but you can take steps to actively reduce the amount of acid your teeth come in contact with in order to protect your enamel. Here are three tips to combat acid erosion:

First, try drinking beverages through a straw. This will cause the drink to physically bypass your teeth and greatly reduce the amount of sugar coming into contact with your teeth. When you can, also avoid swishing sugary drinks around your mouth.

Second, try combating acidic foods with alkaline ones. Foods like milk and cheese can neutralize the acidic pH in your mouth. So, when you are eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try washing it down with a glass of milk.

Third, avoid your intuition and do not brush your teeth right after eating acidic foods! Acidic foods will actually soften the enamel temporarily and can make them much more sensitive to erosion, so wait to brush your teeth for 30 minutes to an hour after eating.

If you would like more information about acid erosion or need help with tooth sensitivity, please contact Greenspoint Dental today to set up an appointment.