Acid erosion refers to the thinning or erosion of your tooth enamel. Acid erosion not only can raise your risk for dental pain and tooth sensitivity, but it can also cause your teeth to look permanently yellow. This is because when your enamel weakens or thins as a result of acid erosion, the naturally dark-yellow dentin portion of the tooth becomes visible.

Acid erosion also raises your risk for cavities because the enamel is not hard or strong enough to prevent bacteria from invading the tooth. Here are some interventions your dentist may recommend to help treat your acid enamel erosion. 

Carefully Choose Foods, Drinks, Drugs, And Supplements

Certain foods and drinks such as citrus fruits and juices, cola, and coffee are highly acidic. Over time, the acids from these foods and drinks can erode your dental enamel. Your dentist will advise you to avoid them or at least decrease your intake to help preserve your tooth enamel. They may also recommend that if you take medications or dietary supplements such as aspirin or vitamin C to avoid chewable tablets, opting instead for tablets that can be swallowed. Aspirin and vitamin C are also very acidic, and when they make contact with your tooth enamel, may cause thinning or erosion. 

Manage Your Acid Reflux

People with acid reflux disease may be at a higher risk for developing acid erosion of the tooth enamel. When irritating and acidic stomach acid rises up into the throat, it can get into your mouth and make contact with your tooth enamel. Significant enamel destruction may occur if acid reflux is not managed properly.

Your dentist will advise you to see your primary care physician for effective treatment options. In the meantime, however, they may recommend that you sleep with the head of your bed elevated in an effort to keep acid from rising up into your throat. In addition to this, dental recommendations may include avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and spicy foods, as these can increase acid production and damage your enamel.

If you have acid reflux disease, your dentist may recommend a special toothpaste to help make your enamel stronger while remineralizing your teeth. Even though existing damage to your enamel cannot be reversed, enamel strengthening toothpaste can help prevent further damage caused by acid erosion.

If you believe you may have enamel erosion, see your dentist. After a comprehensive examination, they will recommend a treatment plan to help preserve and strengthen your enamel. It is important to note, that if the above interventions are ineffective or if you have severe acid erosion, your dentist may recommend dental crowns that fit over your teeth to help prevent bacteria from invading the pulp and strengthen the structure of your teeth.

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