A team of researchers from King’s College London in the United Kingdom sought to discover which acidic foods and drinks are the most harmful for tooth erosion and if the way we consume them has any effect on it. The study has been published in the British Dental Journal.
Tooth erosion can cause discoloration, sensitivity, and even loss of teeth. One of the main causes of tooth erosion is the presence of acids in our food and drinks, and soft drinks and fruit juices are among the main offenders. Although it is also true that some people who consume such foods do not experience dental erosion. This raises a question: how does the consumption of dietary acids affect our risk of dental erosion?
To find out, the researchers relied primarily on data from a previous study, which included 600 adults. Of these, 300 had severe dental erosion , while the remaining 300 did not.
As part of the study, they asked subjects to report their frequency, timing, and duration of dietary acid intake. Additionally, participants were asked to report any drinking-related habits before swallowing acidic beverages, for example drinking hot beverages or using a straw. The researchers also analyzed data from other studies to determine which are the worst foods and drinks for tooth erosion.
Acidic foods, the most harmful
Unsurprisingly, the analysis revealed that acidic foods and beverages posed the greatest risk for tooth erosion. The team found that the risk of moderate or severe tooth erosion was 11 times higher for adults who drank acidic beverages twice a day, particularly when they were consumed between meals, compared to those who drank acidic beverages less frequently.
When acidic beverages were consumed with meals, the risk of dental erosion was cut in half.
Interestingly, the researchers found that adding fruit aromas to drinks, for example adding lemon to hot water, made them as acidic as soda.
Additionally, unsweetened soda was found to be just as erosive to teeth as sugar-sweetened soda, and that hot beverages had a greater erosive potential than cold beverages.
It is important to note, however, that the scientists discovered that the type of food and drink consumed was not important, as the study revealed that the risk of tooth erosion increased when drinking the drinks through a straw (sipping) or holding the liquid in the mouth before swallowing.
“It is well known that an acidic diet is associated with erosive tooth wear. However, our study has shown the impact of how acidic foods and beverages are consumed ,” says Saoirse O’Toole, study leader.
Tip: Drinking water or milk when eating and rinsing your mouth after consuming acidic beverages can help reduce tooth erosion.
Reference: The role of the diet in tooth wear. British Dental Journal 2018. DOI: doi: 10.1038 / sj.bdj.2018.127
