[imagesource: TC Dental]

Can you smell it? That’s the glorious aroma of a Friday and the promise of the weekend striking the nostrils. Pungent, but in a good way.

Crack a smile and grin and bear it while we hang on until the workday is over. The toothier the smile the better, unless you happen to be one of the many people who are unhappy with the state of their teeth.

Crooked teeth, stained teeth, braces, veneers – we’ve touched on these over the past few months and we shouldn’t forget about dental erosion.

This is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acids and is a severe problem that can wreak havoc on your oral health if left untreated.

Dental erosion can occur on all tooth surfaces: front, back, and sides. The severity and extent of dental erosion depend on how long your teeth are exposed to acid and how often you consume acidic foods and drinks.

Causes can include dry mouth, heartburn and acid reflux, teeth grinding, and heavy-handed brushing. Most commonly, however, is the consumption of acidic foods and drinks.

Foods and beverages with a high acid content can wear away at the enamel on your teeth. We asked Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile for some dietary tips and foods to avoid in order to reduce acid erosion.

• Sticky Candies 

Not only do they stick to your teeth, but they also contain high sugar levels. The combination of the sticky texture and the sugar content can cause cavities and tooth decay. If you must have candy, opt for something that isn’t sticky and doesn’t contain a lot of sugar.

Dr Yudelman recommends Orbit Gum with Xylitol listed as the main ingredient.

• Hard Candies 

While they don’t contain as much sugar as sticky candies, they can still cause problems. Sour candies are another type of candy that can wreak havoc on your teeth thanks to their high acid content. When you bite down on hard candy, there’s a chance that you could crack or chip your teeth.

• Dried Fruit

Dried fruit may be a healthier snack, but can be terrible for your teeth. The high sugar and acid content, coupled with the fact that dried fruit is often sticky, means that it can adhere to your teeth and lead to cavities.

If you can’t give up your favourite dried fruits, brush your teeth immediately after eating them.

• Sodas 

The sugar content in sodas can cause cavities, while the acids can eat away tooth enamel. Beware of diet sodas because many contain even more acid than regular sodas.

Tip: it is way worse to sip on soda during the day instead of drinking a can of your favourite with a meal. Reducing the frequency and time it is in contact with your teeth is critical.

• Alcohol 

Alcohol can dry out your mouth, which reduces saliva production. Saliva is important because it helps to remove food and bacteria from your mouth and keeps your gums healthy.

When saliva production is reduced, you’re more susceptible to developing cavities and gum disease.

• Ice Cubes

Chewing on ice cubes can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Furthermore, if you’re prone to grinding your teeth at night, ice cubes can exacerbate the problem by making your teeth more sensitive.

If you want to keep your teeth healthy, it’s best to avoid chewing on ice cubes altogether.

• Acidic sports drinks and gels.

The high acid content in these drinks and gels can break down tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay and other problems. If you regularly drink acidic sports drinks, you may notice that your teeth become more sensitive or that they develop cavities more easily.

If you must drink acidic sports drinks, try to rinse your mouth with water afterwards or drink them through a straw to minimise contact with your teeth.

The best way to treat dental erosion is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If you can already see the tell-tale signs of erosion, there are several treatment options, depending on the severity of the problem.

These include topical fluoride treatments, composite bonding, veneers, and crowns. Dr Yudelman stresses that OptiSmile tries to reduce the drilling away of enamel, meaning fewer crowns and veneers.

In addition, composite bonding has become so advanced now that it’s rapidly becoming the standard of care for erosion treatment even in severe cases.

Before jumping to any conclusions, it’s best to chat with the experts about the best way forward.

OptiSmile in Sea Point, Cape Town has four dentists, an Invisalign specialist, a prosthodontist, and a hygienist who work as a team to help you with dental erosion or any other dental issues you may have.