Here’s a surprising fact about acid erosion that you may not know: According to the ADA, up to 80% of adults are at risk of enamel loss because of what they eat. The culprit? Acidic foods and drinks.
What’s even more surprising is that many of the healthy foods and drinks we enjoy, like fruits and juices, are highly acidic.
The good news is you don’t have to change your healthy diet to protect your teeth. All you need to do is be more mindful about the healthy options you’re choosing—while limiting or avoiding the unhealthy ones—and taking care of your enamel along the way.
How Acidic Foods and Drinks Affect Teeth
Over time, acids in everyday foods and drinks can wear away your enamel in a process called acid erosion. Your enamel is the visible, outermost layer of your teeth. It helps protect the sensitive areas of your teeth and keeps them looking bright and white. Dental experts believe that as few as four acidic challenges a day may put you at risk of acid erosion. As enamel wears away, it exposes the yellow inner layer of the tooth (called dentin), which can lead to tooth sensitivity.
