What are dental erosions?

Tooth erosion is the destruction of the tooth surface caused by the action of acid and without the involvement of bacteria. Acids can destroy even the hardest tooth enamel.

It is generally thought that sugar is the biggest enemy of teeth, but this is not always the case. Acids can also cause irreparable damage to teeth in the long term.

In addition to the well-known dental diseases such as caries and periodontitis, a new, previously little-noticed disease of the tooth surface is increasingly becoming the focus of attention: tooth erosion.

Mild erosions often go unnoticed because they do not cause any discomfort and are also barely visible. In the advanced stage, the teeth are severely damaged, a large part of the enamel has been lost, the underlying dentin is exposed, the teeth appear old, discolored and sensitive.
         

What are the causes?

The cause of tooth erosion is acids that act on the teeth either from the outside or from the inside. Bacteria play no role in this process.

Here is a list of acidic sources:

Fruits, soft drinks, iced tea, fruit juices, sports drinks, wine, yogurt, sour milk, cucumbers, vinegar, sauerkraut and other sour vegetables
Stomach acid (in people who suffer from reflux and bulimia)
Certain medications, such as vitamin C supplements and aspirin.

The acids gradually dissolve the minerals in the tooth substance. Lost tooth substance cannot be restored; the damage is permanent. The erosive properties of the various drinks are very different. For example, apple and orange juice, Sprite and cola are particularly aggressive. Lemon soda softens the enamel surface after just half a minute to two minutes of exposure. The decalcification process takes a more or less long time. Various factors influence the speed:

Frequency of acid intake: If you only consume acids during meals, the damage will progress less quickly than if you repeatedly consume acidic drinks and foods throughout the day.

Destructive power of the acid: Mild or strong acid. Anything with a pH value below 7 is acidic. The lower the pH value, the more destructive it is.

Time spent in the mouth

Amount of saliva produced: The more saliva is produced, the faster the acids are washed away.

Buffer capacity of saliva: Saliva contains bicarbonate, which can neutralize the acids. However, the concentration of bicarbonate in saliva is not the same for everyone.

How can you avoid erosion?

What has been lost cannot be repaired, but there are ways to counteract tooth erosion.

1. Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet. You can still consume fruit juices, fruit and acidic foods, but you should pay attention to the frequency and daily distribution. If possible, limit the consumption of acids to the main meals. It is better to consume a large amount of fruit once a day, rather than spreading the same amount over the course of the day in many small portions.
2. If you consume acidic foods, try to neutralize the acids as quickly as possible by rinsing your mouth with water, drinking some milk or eating cheese.
3. When you are out and about, it is advisable to eat tooth-friendly or acid-neutralizing chewing gum or candy, as they stimulate saliva flow and raise the pH level more quickly. Tooth-friendly chewing gum and candy have been awarded the “tooth man” label. They do not cause tooth decay or erosion.
4. After eating acidic foods, wait at least half an hour, preferably 45 minutes, before brushing your teeth to give the tooth enamel a chance to stabilize again.
5. After consuming acid, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride-containing rinse. The SNOW SHINE Whitening Foam from SNOW PEARL can be the perfect solution for when you’re on the go, as it can be used like a normal toothpaste. It is also ideal for rinsing the mouth, neutralizing acids and remineralizing teeth, as it contains fluoride and nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite (the building block of enamel).
6. Be sure to use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth to avoid causing additional damage to the already softened tooth surface. The travel toothbrushes and the Ultra Soft sonic toothbrush from SNOW PEARL are particularly suitable for this, as they are ultra soft and yet have very stable bristles.
7. Use a fluoride toothpaste with low or medium abrasiveness. PEARL SHIELD Gel Toothpaste by SNOW PEARL is the perfect aid, especially for the final daily brushing in the evening: its innovative formula allows the fluoride to adhere to the teeth for over 12 hours. This increases the remineralizing effect and also significantly reduces tooth sensitivity.
8. Do not avoid products containing fluoride, as fluoride increases the resistance of tooth enamel to acids by 10 times.