Your diet influences your health. Spicy foods may upset your stomach; greasy meals can leave you feeling heavy. Similarly, some foods and drinks can affect your teeth, especially your enamel, the hard outer layer that protects them.
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Despite brushing regularly, frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages can put your dental health at risk, especially your enamel, the hard outer layer that protects your teeth. As enamel wears away, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks and appear yellower.
Dr Amit Uday Bhandarwar (MDS Oral Pathology), OroSmyle Dental Clinics, Navi Mumbai, shared with HT Lifestyle the importance of protecting enamel and highlighted foods and drinks to be careful of.
Why should enamel be protected?
Describing what enamel does and why damage it is a major concern, Dr Bhandarwar said, “Enamel is a dense mineral layer that shields them from daily wear and tear. Its translucent nature gives teeth their sparkle naturally, subtly revealing the colour of the dentine beneath, which can range from soft yellow to a cool bluish white. But here’s the part many of us don’t know: tooth enamel has no living cells and therefore cannot regenerate or repair itself once damaged, so once your tooth enamel is gone, it is gone forever. That is why enamel erosion must not go unnoticed.”
This means that despite being the hardest substance in the human body, enamel is still vulnerable to erosion, and once it wears away, the loss is difficult to reverse.
Which foods and beverages should you limit?
The expert cautioned that frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages, including tea, coffee, cola, pickles, and citrus fruits, can soften the enamel, leading to erosion.
What happens if enamel is eroded?
Enamel erosion can develop silently. Dr Bhandarwar described that it may not cause noticeable pain or symptoms in its early stages. As it progresses, teeth may become more sensitive, appear yellower, and be at greater risk of cavities.
What is an ‘enamel-smart’ toothpaste?
Using the right brushing technique and limiting acidic foods and beverages can help protect your teeth. Choosing the right toothpaste is essential; the one that helps strengthen enamel and support remineralisation, the process of replenishing lost minerals.
Dr Bhandarwar described the formulation of ‘enamel-smart toothpaste,’”An ‘enamel-smart’ toothpaste is a toothpaste that is formulated for enamel protection and contains an optimised fluoride formulation that helps strengthen, remineralise, protect and rebuild the enamel surface.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
