Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Your teeth and acid

Why might a dentist be the first to diagnose the eating disorder bulimia? Because people with bulimia frequently vomit up their meals on the sly and the stomach acid in the mouth begins to erode the tooth enamel, most commonly on the inside of the bottom front teeth. This is very obvious to a dentist taking a squizz in the mouth.

The same effect can be seen with those who drink a lot of soft drink (regular and diet), energy drinks and sports drinks because these drinks have a pH of 2, still acidic enough to erode tooth enamel. Drinking through a straw will help minimise drink-tooth contact. Tingly teeth? See your dentist for an enamel assessment.

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