Sansation

This is a PDF on research conducted by the NSW Centre for Oral Health. It is a bit lengthy (23pgs) but it is worth the read for in depth knowledge on oral health.

healthy_mouth

Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after a meal does help to clear food debris from the mouth and stimulates the production of saliva by as much as 10 times the normal rate!

Saliva plays an important role in reducing the risk of tooth decay and helps remineralize teeth. Saliva neutralizes the acidity your mouth, provides calcium and phosphate to aid in the  process of remineralization.

Saliva is capable of storing and releasing fluoride to inhibit the production of bacterial acid, and hardens teeth so they are less soluble.

Whilst chewing sugar-free gum is helpful, it is not an adequate replacement for brushing you teeth twice a day. Chewing gum that contains sugar will nourish oral bacteria and increases tooth decay.

Rose Carr

Senior Nutritionist

New Zealand Health Guide

Issue 67, pg 20

Try this online oral health application. Should take around 5mins.

• To help prevent dental erosion, it is recommended you avoid brushing for at least 60 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks. Consuming acidic foods and drinks leaves the enamel softened and more prone to erosion through brushing.
• Avoid sipping acidic drinks like orange juice, sodas (both sweetened and diet) and wine over long periods of time. Minimize contact of such drinks with your teeth’s surface by drinking them with a straw and not swishing them around in your mouth.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste with low abrasivity, such as Colgate® Sensitive Enamel Protect™, or any of the Sensodyne range (with the except of the orginal)

The effects of acid erosion can affect all ages and, once present, cannot be reversed – protection is the best policy.

What you can do

• Avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks – it’s best to wait as long as possible.
• Drink acidic drinks quickly – don’t swish them around or hold them for long periods within your mouth
• Brush twice a day, every day, with a toothpaste likeSensodyne Pronamel or Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening to help re-harden softened tooth enamel

Signs

Teeth may look healthy

Dentist’s torch may show transparency (light adjusted to show clinical situation).

What to look out for

Early stages:

• sensitivity when consuming hot or cold food and drinks;
• a rounded look on the surface of the tooth;
• a slight yellow appearance as the tooth becomes thinner and the underlying dentine shows through.

Later stages:

• darker yellow appearance of the teeth;
• transparency at the edges;
• sensitivity becoming more severe;
• small dents on the tooth surface.

The effects of acid erosion cannot be reversed & if left to advance may require treatment from the dentist to restore & protect the affected teeth. In very extreme cases the damage caused may require affected teeth to be extracted.

Acidity and erosion

What is enamel?
Tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body, and is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth. It is the normally visible dental tissue of a tooth and is supported by underlying dentin.

What is enamel erosion?
Enamel erosion is the irreversible loss of tooth tissue due mainly to exposure to acid.

What causes enamel erosion?
The main cause of enamel erosion is exposure of the teeth to acids. Sources of acid exposure can be intrinsic (from within your body) or extrinsic (from outside your body). People at risk from intrinsic acid exposure include those who experience gastric reflux or recurrent vomiting. Extrinsic acid can be found in some of our most popular everyday foods and drinks. Examples include citrus fruits, apples, pickles, vinegar, sodas (both sweetened and diet), wine and orange juice.