Toggle navigation
Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
70 Westridge Parkway, Suite 200 McDonough, GA 30253(678) 583-0330
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
 
  • Home
  • Meet Our Dentist
  • Meet Our Team
  • Our Office
  • New Patients
  • Reviews
  • Appointment Request

Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion

Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion

By Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
October 28, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   tooth decay   nutrition  
TakeStepstoReduceMouthAcidandAvoidDentalErosion

Your teeth’s hard, enamel coating protects them from environmental dangers or disease. But although it’s made of the hardest substance in the human body, enamel isn’t invincible — prolonged exposure to acid can cause dental erosion, a condition in which the enamel’s mineral content permanently dissolves, a process known as de-mineralization.

De-mineralization occurs anytime our mouth environment becomes too acidic due to eating or drinking items with high acid content. Saliva normally neutralizes mouth acid in thirty minutes to an hour after we eat, as well as restores mineral content to the enamel (re-mineralization). Danger arises, though, if the saliva’s buffering action is overwhelmed by chronic acidity, caused mainly by constant snacking or sipping on acidic foods and beverages throughout the day — in this situation, saliva can’t complete the process of buffering and re-mineralization.

As a result, the enamel may permanently lose its mineral content and strength over time. This permanent dental erosion leads to serious consequences: the teeth become more susceptible to decay; the dentin becomes exposed, which causes pain and sensitivity to pressure and temperature changes; and changes in the teeth’s size and color can negatively alter your appearance.

It’s important to take action then before dental erosion occurs. Along with daily oral hygiene, restrict your consumption of acidic foods and beverages to meal times and cut back on between-meal snacks. Rather than a sports drink after exercising, drink nature’s hydrator — water. You should also alter your brushing habits slightly — rather than brush right after you eat, wait thirty minutes to an hour. This gives saliva time to restore the mouth to its normal pH and re-mineralize the enamel. Brushing right after can remove even more of the minerals in softened enamel.

If significant erosion has occurred, there are a number of treatment options we can undertake to preserve remaining tooth structure and enhance your appearance. In moderate cases, we can reshape and cover damaged teeth using dental materials like composite resins or porcelain to fill decayed areas or cover teeth with veneers or crowns.

The key of course, is to identify dental erosion through clinical examination as soon as possible to minimize damage. Your enamel plays a critical role in protecting your teeth from disease — so take the right steps to protect your enamel.

If you would like more information on protecting your enamel, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Erosion.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
        • Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth
      • January (4)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Have Tooth Pain? A Root Canal Might Be Right for You
        • We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Monitoring Your Child's Thumb Sucking Could Help Avoid Future Bite Problems
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
        • 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
      • November (4)
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • October (3)
        • How to Reduce Tooth White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
        • Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
      • September (4)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed
        • How Oral Cancer Screenings Can Save Your Smile
        • Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
      • August (4)
        • Back to School Do's and Don'ts
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Oral Hygiene isn't Easy with Braces - but it's Still Doable
        • Address Your Teeth Grinding Habit Early to Avoid Potential Tooth Loss
      • July (4)
        • How Dental Crowns Help Your Smile
        • We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Cleaning Around Implants Crucial to Protecting Them from Loss
      • June (4)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • 3 Common Causes for Chronic Dry Mouth and What You can do About It
        • Signs You May Need a Root Canal
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • May (3)
        • Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
        • 3 Situations for Seeing a Periodontist
        • See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
      • April (2)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
      • March (3)
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • The Importance of Professional Cleanings
        • Prompt Treatment for Gum Disease Could Ultimately Save Your Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Antibiotics Could Help Ensure your Implant Surgery is Successful
        • A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
      • January (3)
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • What Veneers Can Do for Your Smile
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (3)
        • Diabetes and Oral Health
        • Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
      • October (2)
        • Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion
        • Chronic Dry Mouth Could be Increasing Your Risk of Dental Disease
      • September (3)
        • Oral Health Concerns for Preteens
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • What are Dental Implants?
      • August (3)
        • Tooth-Healthy Tips for a Summer Barbecue
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • 4 Situations Where a Crown Could Improve an Existing Tooth
      • July (3)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Reasons You Might Need A Dental Crown
        • Avoid These 4 Health Problems with One Simple Denture Practice
      • June (2)
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
      • May (3)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Don't Neglect Your Flossing Habit
        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
      • April (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
      • March (4)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
        • The Many Uses for Porcelain Veneers
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • February (1)
        • Get an Early Start Treating Root Resorption Before it's Too Late
      • January (4)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • What Causes Bad Breath?
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • November (3)
        • Don't Let an Eating Disorder Wreck Oral Health
        • So, What's a Dental Implant?
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • October (3)
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Implants can Support a Total Tooth Replacement Restoration
      • September (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Root Canals: No Pain and Lots to Gain
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
      • August (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Minimally Invasive Dentistry: A New Approach to Preventing and Treating Decay
      • July (3)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Get Your Smile Back With Dental Implants
        • 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
      • June (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
      • May (3)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
        • What Are Crowns and Bridges?
      • April (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • March (3)
        • Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Welcome To Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (32)
  • oral hygiene (15)
  • oral health (10)
  • bulimia (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • gum disease (6)
  • Crowns (5)
  • Bridges (1)
  • medication (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (5)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • tooth decay (3)
  • dental implants (10)
  • restorative dentistry (4)
  • tooth loss (1)
  • braces (4)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • dentures (2)
  • Root Canals (1)
  • wisdom teeth (4)
  • tooth extraction (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • orthodontics (3)
  • veneers (3)
  • partial denture (1)
  • bad breath (1)
  • teeth grinding (2)
  • root resorption (1)
  • apioectomy (1)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • root canal treatment (3)
  • laser dentistry (2)
  • orthodontic treatment (5)
  • bonded retainer (1)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • thumb sucking (3)
  • nutrition (2)
  • pediatric dentistry (4)
  • dry mouth (2)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • root canal (3)
  • antibiotics (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)
  • Professional Cleanings (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • periodontist (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • dental crowns (1)
  • Oral Cancer Screening (1)
  • Oral Cancer (1)
  • jaw pain (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • crown (1)
  • toothache (2)
  • dental injury (1)
  • pulp capping (1)
  • apicoectomy (1)
  • gum recession (1)
  • bone grafting (1)

Categories:

  • Oral Health (45)
  • Dental Procedures (56)
 
 
 
New Patient Forms
 
CareCredit - Apply nowApply Now
 
 

Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Reviews

Our Location

McDonough, GA Dentist
Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
70 Westridge Parkway, Suite 200
McDonough, GA 30253
(678) 583-0330
dentist Call For Pricing

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Dentist Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map