What is Acid Erosion?
Enamel is the tough outer layer that protects your teeth from damage when you bite, chew, or grind foods. Enamel offers an insulating barrier between hot or cold substances and the sensitive nerves of the teeth. Also, since enamel is so hard and impervious, it keeps harmful bacteria and plaque from attacking the softer, more vulnerable tissues in your teeth and gums. However, even a substance as tough as enamel can be damaged or worn away by acids found in common foods and drinks. This wear and tear is referred to as 'acid erosion.'

What Causes Acid Erosion?
Acid erosion occurs on the teeth that are exposed to high levels of acidity from food and drinks. The longer acids stay on teeth, the more they eat away at the enamel, causing the erosion.
Some of the most common food and drinks that cause erosion are:

• Citrus. Oranges, lemons, and limes are common ingredients in dishes and drinks, but they are also some of the most acidic foods.
• Wine. Almost all wines are acidic, whether they are red, white, or rose.
• Candy. The high levels of sugar in candies are already damaging for teeth, but sour candies have more acidity than other sweets.
• Sodas. Even if the drink has no sugar, introducing carbonation into any beverage naturally raises the acidity of the drink.
• Sugar. Sugar itself is not particularly acidic, but it encourages encourage the growth of bacteria that creates an acidic environment.

But while foods and drinks are the main culprit of acid erosion, stomach acid can wreck a lot of damage on the teeth. Those who suffer from acid reflux or bulimia may also notice acid erosion.

Symptoms of Acid Erosion
• Yellowing. Pearly white teeth are associated with good oral hygiene for a reason - strong, healthy enamel is white. If your teeth are taking on a yellow tinge, that's a sign that your enamel is wearing away and exposing dentin, a lower layer of dental tissue.
• Transparency. Along with yellowing, eroded teeth may take a more translucent appearance along the bottom edge.
• Sensitivity. As stated above, enamel protects the nerves in your teeth and insulates them from hot or cold temperatures. If you feel a twinge when you eat ice cream or drink hot coffee, that's a sign your enamel is wearing.
• Rounded edges. Because the edges of the teeth are thinner and come into the most contact with acidic foods, if they sustain enough erosion, they can start to round out.
• Visible damage. As erosion progresses, there's not enough hard enamel to protect the softer tissues of the teeth. What's left of the enamel may crack, or you may see what's known as 'cupping,' which is where your teeth show dents because there's not enough enamel to stop foods from damaging the dentin.
• Pain. The more enamel wears away, the more your nerves are exposed. As such, your sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures will increase and you may notice that more and more things trigger the pain, such as air temperature.
• Decay. In extreme cases of erosion, the enamel gets so weak that bacteria and plaque can get into the weaker tissues of the teeth like dentin and grow, causing pain, decay, and eventual tooth loss.

Treatment for Acid Erosion
The best treatment for acid erosion is prevention. Your dentist can instruct you on good oral hygiene habits to keep acids from harming your teeth. In addition, you can also take preventative measures such as fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel. Erosion is a serious issue, but it's a slow one, and mild cases may be halted with good dental hygiene and close monitoring by your dentist. Mild cases can also be addressed by applying sealants to the teeth, especially back molars, or by bonding, in which the dentist applies a resin to your teeth that acts as additional protection. More serious cases may require measures like fillings, veneers, crowns, or implants if the teeth are severely damaged or decayed. Acid erosion is quite common, at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa, we offer all of these protective measures and treatment options. If you suspect you may have acid erosion, contact us immediately to book an appointment!