Acid Attack - Vos dents sont-elles en danger?

Your teeth could be in jeopardy. Did you know that eating and drinking acidic foods and drinks might cause acid erosion of your teeth? When your tooth enamel is damaged by acid contact, it becomes weakened and more readily worn away, even by brushing your teeth! If you have a habit of grinding your teeth at sleep, you can quickly cause major harm.

Increased sensitivity to cold air or liquids is frequently the first indicator of this condition. Acidic bursts will open up the pores on your teeth, and any regions of dentin exposure, such as root surfaces, will become extremely sensitive.

Teeth that have been weakened by acid are far more susceptible to decay. This may necessitate considerable dental care.

Serious acid damage does not occur with a single exposure, and your teeth have some ability to heal (re-mineralize). Many repeated exposures, on the other hand, can result in serious, irreversible tooth deterioration.

This is a HUGE issue. I’m concerned about the amount of acid erosion and resulting tooth discomfort I’m observing.

And the majority of people have NO IDEA that this is happening to them.

This is a Serious Threat…

In the last few years, I’ve witnessed an increase in the number of patients who have this issue. One specific patient was a newcomer to my profession. Her teeth were worn all the way down to the gum line! Ouch! I also saw that many younger folks drank a lot of cola drinks, and their teeth were decaying (more on that issue later).

The problem of acid erosion is not limited to a single age group. I notice a LOT of it in people of all ages, and it appears to be getting worse by the year. People are living longer lives and retaining their natural teeth. That, however, does not explain all of the devastation I’m witnessing.

Be wary of acid bombs!

Our modern diet is a major contributor to this “epidemic” of acid damage. Many of the meals and beverages we consume contain quite high quantities of acid.
Acids that are routinely added to our meals include citric acid, acetic acid (vinegar), and phosphoric acid, all of which can severely damage your enamel. As a result, make sure to read the components list.

What is the purpose of the addition of these acids?

Most of the time, to aid with preservation. It is common in the food sector.
Benzoic acid and its salt variants (sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, and so on) are among the most often used food preservatives on the planet. It’s inexpensive and quite effective. Increased profits are the result of a longer shelf life. It’s used in everything from jams, juices, and salad dressings to ice cream, soft drinks, and candies in the culinary business. It’s also found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and anti-freeze as a rust inhibitor.

Because it is slightly acidic, benzoic acid will not immediately affect your enamel. The preservation effect of this chemical is pH dependant; it works best in a low pH (acidic) environment. Other strong acids are added to food and beverage goods to provide a pH low enough for this preservative to act. Many culinary products, including soft drinks, ice cream, and candies, are acidified (juiced up) in this manner. That’s the enormous, concealed acid spike that many of us are experiencing!

Furthermore, benzoic acid can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to create benzene, which is a recognised carcinogen. As an antioxidant, vitamin C is frequently added to food and beverage items. These two components are still used combined in a variety of beverages around the world (fortunately banned in North America). Another reason to read the ingredient lists.

Keep an eye out for the Double Dose!

Some of these foods and beverages are especially damaging to your teeth due to their high sugar and acid content. Bacteria in your mouth have the ability to aggressively digest any available sugar to make lactic acid. This implies that your teeth will be subjected to much more acid. That is why many children suffer recurring deterioration. They were constantly assaulted with a double dosage of acid from all of the cola drinks they consumed!

Diet drinks may be gentler on your teeth, but some sugar replacements (aspartame) might amplify the acid attack on our body.

Our Teeth Aren’t the Only Thing…

Overexposure to acid only causes injury to our teeth. These synthetic “acid bombs” we’re ingesting can alter our internal chemistry and have a significant impact on our general health.

Our systems will try to adjust for the increased dietary acid, but it will come at a cost. Our alkaline reserves are gradually drained, and as a result, we begin to suffer from the numerous effects of chronic acidosis.

Some of the dangers of chronic acidosis are as follows…

• To counteract the excess acid, minerals (mostly calcium) are leeched from our organs and bones. As calcium is leached from our bones, we may develop osteoporosis.
• Because of the acid accumulation in our kidneys, we have a higher risk of kidney stones. Excess systemic acid impairs digestion by inhibiting the synthesis of stomach acid as well as alkalizing salts from the gallbladder and pancreas. We’re left with poorly digested, acidic food in our intestines, which causes cramping, bloating, and an increased risk of intestinal infections. Capillary blood flow slows, and acid waste disposal on a cellular level is obstructed, exacerbating the symptoms of cellular ageing and increasing the danger of cellular transmutation (cancer).
• Diabetes is caused by acid buildup in the pancreas, which interferes with insulin synthesis. Our energy levels plummet, and we experience persistent weariness. Fat builds up around our essential organs (to protect them) and we gain weight.

Chronic acidosis has been identified as the hidden but lethal disease that is the root cause of many of the significant ailments we face. “Acidosis essentially damages the body from the inside out, laying the stage for disease to take over,”

Keep an eye out for these acidic foods!

• Beverages (including lemon iced-tea)
• Gatorade, Powerade, and other sports drinks
• Red Bull, Full Throttle, and other energy drinks
• Lemons, limes, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits
• Salad of fruits
• Lemonade, grapefruit, orange, apple, cranberry, and other fruit juices
• Chewable C vitamin (never suck on them)
• Sweets (particularly sour candies)
• Vinegar

Salad dressing and ketchup are examples of vinegar-based goods.

Red or white wine?

The Bottom Line: Enamel loss is progressive. If left untreated, your teeth may suffer severe damage.

You Have the Following Options:

• Be concerned. Take this seriously, and don’t allow your teeth suffer as a result of the food battles. Pay attention to the components and begin minimising your intake of acidic foods and beverages.
• Get down to business. Call junk food what it is: junk food, not a “special treat” you’ve earned. Avoid linking “comfort” with poor dietary choices. Consider healthy snack options such as almonds and fresh vegetables.
• Put a stop to it! Look for healthy substitutes, such as mineral water. If you must indulge, keep the frequency, duration, and concentration of acid exposure to a minimum.
• Remove the sweets. Control your sweet tooth before it takes you. Sour candies with citric, malic, and/or tartaric acids are especially awful.
• Reduce your exposure time. Slowly eating or drinking something throughout the day will do more harm than a single large exposure.
• Water down your juices. Many juices have such high sugar and acid content that they can’t even quench your thirst. Consider adding at least half of the water (my preference is 2/3). Lemon iced tea should be avoided.
• Excellent hygiene. Maintain your brushing and flossing routines. To help strengthen your teeth, use fluoride toothpaste. Brushing your teeth shortly after consuming acidic meals or drinks is not recommended because enamel is at its thinnest and most vulnerable during this time. Instead, simply rinse with water. We can assist you. Keep up with your hygiene checkups to stay healthy and keep your teeth for life. We’ll keep an eye on the acid damage. If the damage is severe, we can help restore and protect the afflicted teeth using bonding, porcelain placages, or crowns.
• Inform others. This is a problem that few people are aware of. Please refer them to us, and we will look after them.

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