Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Dental erosion in Glen Iris – Are you washing away your teeth?

  • Dental Erosion and Acidic Drinks

    When acids come into contact with your teeth, the enamel and dentine can gradually soften and dissolve. This process is known as dental erosion. Over time, dental erosion can lead to tooth wear, increased sensitivity, and even tooth loss if left untreated.

    Causes of Dental Erosion

    Many common drinks are acidic and can damage teeth when consumed frequently. Acidic drinks weaken the protective enamel layer, making your teeth more prone to decay, sensitivity, and discoloration. The acidity of a drink is measured by its pH level — the lower the pH, the higher the acid content and the greater the risk to your teeth.

    Early Signs of Dental Erosion

    Look for the following warning signs:

    • Teeth appearing more yellow as enamel thins and dentine becomes visible

    • A smooth or glazed look on tooth surfaces

    • Sensitivity to temperature or sweetness

    • Transparent or thinning edges of the front teeth

    If you notice these changes, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Early detection and treatment can slow down or prevent further damage.

    Acidic Drinks and Their pH Levels

    The table below shows examples of popular drinks and their acidity levels. Drinks with a pH between 1 and 5 are highly acidic and can cause dental erosion if consumed often.

    pH Example Drink Acid Content (Source: Choice, July 2010)
    1 Stomach acid
    2 Lemon juice 2.45 Pepsi, 2.53 Coca-Cola, 2.80 Cottee’s Lemon Crush, 2.85 Cottee’s Diet Cordial No Added Sugar, 2.85 Pepsi Max, 2.9 Sunnyboy Glug Cola
    3 Vinegar 3.00 Glaceau Vitamin Water Triple-X, 3.07 Staminade Lemon Lime Fusion, 3.07 Coca-Cola Zero, 3.09 Fanta Orange, 3.14 Pop Tops Apple Blackcurrant Drink, 3.36 Gatorade Fierce Grape, 3.46 V Energy, 3.50 V Energy Sugar Free, 3.50 Golden Circle Sunshine Punch, 3.51 Red Bull, 3.61 Golden Circle Juice No Added Sugar
    4 Tomato juice 4.04 Berri Low Acid Orange Juice
    5 Rainwater
    6 Milk 6.70 Sanitarium Up and Go Banana & Honey
    7 Pure water Neutral pH

    How to Prevent Dental Erosion

    Protect your teeth from acid wear with these practical tips:

    • Limit consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks

    • Rinse with water after having acidic beverages

    • Wait at least 30–60 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks

    • Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel

    • Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow and neutralise acids

    • Visit your dentist for regular dental check-ups and professional fluoride treatments

    When to See Dr. Kaufman

    If you regularly consume any of the acidic drinks listed above or notice signs of enamel wear, visit Dr. Kaufman for a professional assessment. After a thorough examinaion, Dr. Kaufman can provide tailored advice, preventive care, and protective treatments to help manage dental erosion.

How Saliva Protects Against Tooth Erosion: Essential Facts for Better Oral Health.

Why Saliva Is Essential for Protecting Your Teeth From Erosion

Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion, taste, and maintaining strong oral health. One of its most important functions is protecting your teeth from tooth erosion. Here are four key properties of saliva that help safeguard your enamel and keep your mouth healthy.

1. Saliva Helps Rinse Away Food and Bacteria

Water is essential not only for overall health, but also for proper saliva production. Salivary glands filter water from the bloodstream, making it a major component of saliva.
Adequate saliva flow helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping teeth cleaner and reducing the risk of tooth erosion.
Dehydration or certain medications can reduce saliva production, lowering these natural cleansing effects and increasing your risk of tooth decay.

2. Saliva Neutralizes Harmful Acids

Saliva contains bicarbonate, a natural buffer that neutralizes acids from foods and drinks. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, vitamin C supplements, soft drinks, and fruit juices all introduce acids into the mouth.
While salivary bicarbonate can neutralize most dietary acids, some sports drinks and soft drinks contain very strong acids that exceed saliva’s protective ability. When acids are not neutralized, the enamel and dentin begin to break down, leading to cavities.

3. Saliva Provides Calcium to Protect and Repair Teeth

Calcium is another vital component of saliva. These ions help form crystals with dietary acids—such as citric acid found in citrus fruits, certain wines, and tomatoes—to protect teeth from erosion.
Salivary calcium also supports remineralisation, helping repair weakened enamel that has been damaged by acids and bacteria.

4. Saliva Supports Taste and Stimulates Healthy Production

Saliva is essential for food tasting, and taste receptors help regulate saliva flow. Fresh fruits and vegetables stimulate sour, salty, and bitter taste receptors, making them excellent natural saliva stimulants. Including them in your breakfast helps kick-start the day with a hydrated, well-protected mouth.

When to Contact Your Dentist

Because saliva is so important to your oral health, it’s crucial to seek help if you experience dry mouth, thick or frothy saliva, or difficulty tasting food. Conditions such as diabetes, chronic dehydration, anorexia nervosa, depression, and alcoholism can reduce salivary flow and require careful monitoring.
If you are concerned about your saliva quality or production, contact Dr. Daniel Kaufman and the friendly team at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris for a thorough assessment.