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Posted on 2/20/2020 by OM |
One of the most basic ways of preventing acid erosion is saliva – it is your first, and one of the best, lines of defense. Saliva washes the harmful acids out of your mouth into the stomach, which neutralizes the acid and repairs the early stages of erosion. This is done by repairing and restoring the minerals within the tooth itself with the foods we eat and beverages we drink. It is important to remember, however, that saliva cannot restore the lost tooth surface. In other words, if you are experiencing what is called dry mouth, or a reduced flow of saliva, this can actually increase your risk of erosion. Be sure to watch your intake of caffeine, such as found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks, these can often lead to dry mouth. When Erosion is Detected How do you Stop It?The goal is, of course, to always be limiting the number of harmful acids that come into contact with your teeth and that can be done in several different ways. First and foremost, by eating a healthy and well-balanced diet. Drinking fluoridated water, eating fruits rather than drinking fruit juice, eat at mealtimes not between meals. If you are experiencing acid reflux or vomiting, you should seek medical treatment immediately for medical management. One of the best things you can do is to chew vitamin C tablets and to chew sugar-free gum to promote the flow of saliva. Always consider the use of dental products promoted by the ADA and that contain Stannous fluoride. As a standard rule of dental care, you should always be rinsing your mouth with water or a fluoride mouth rinse or as a substitute you could rinse with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mouth rinse. |