Eating well has its downside

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Eating well has its downside


Healthy diet contributes to tooth erosion


Published: Monday, September 25, 2006
OTTAWA - An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but dentists now say it could also leave you wearing dentures.

The high acid content of fizzy drinks, fruits, vegetables and other healthy snacks actually wears away tooth enamel and many Canadian dentists report the recent trend toward healthy eating means nearly all of their patients are showing signs of wear on their teeth.

"We see this type of thing in everyone -- even people with the healthiest teeth," said Dr. Shaireen Lalani, a dentist based in Vancouver. "The thing is is everyone is affected, even young children."

In fact, the surging popularity of pop, sports drinks and other juices with high acid concentrations is a major factor causing tooth erosion among children and adolescents, according to the Canadian Dental Association.

"There's no question that we're seeing more of these erosion effects than I've ever seen and I've been in practice just about 30 years," said Dr. Darryl Smith, president-elect of the association. "It's a significant concern."

Although they may not recognize the signs, dentists say an increasing number of people are showing signs of acid erosion on their teeth, even if they don't realize there's a problem. For instance, Gerry Edwards, a truck driver who lives in Calgary, was surprised when he recently found out that his teeth are showing signs of acid wear.

Edwards said he enjoys drinking wine and often eats a large amount of fruit while he's on the road. He said he had no idea that moving toward a healthier diet would actually have a negative impact on his teeth.

"I don't feel like eating junk food anymore, so I eat a lot of fruit. Apparently, it's the wine and the fruit that started it," he said. "I was a little surprised."

Although the dental association

doesn't keep statistics on the number of people affected, Smith said there's no doubt an increasing number of people -- particularly adolescents -- are showing signs of acid wear on their teeth.

While esthetically unappealing, prolonged acid wear also makes teeth sensitive to hot and cold and can lead to serious decay, he said.

Although the effect of acid on teeth is not a new phenomenon, Lalani said the fact more Canadians are snacking on highly acidic foods throughout the day means they're more susceptible to acid wear. When teeth are repeatedly exposed to acidic foods and drinks, the enamel can soften and eventually dissolve. As time goes on, teeth become thinner and yellowed.

"In its early stages, people suffer minor sensitivity and slight discolouration. But in advanced stages, it can involve fairly costly dental procedures," she said.

That doesn't mean Canadians should stop eating healthy foods. But people should be making a conscious effort to reduce the effect acidic treats have on their mouths, Smith said. To help protect teeth, he said it's important for young people, who tend to drink large amounts of pop and other fizzy drinks, to consume more water.

It also helps to eat nuts or dairy products alongside fruits and other foods high in acid.

But one important aspect is for people to avoid brushing their teeth immediately after eating acidic foods. Brushing can actually expedite the acid's eroding effect on the teeth, Lalani said.

"If you wait an hour, the acidity in your mouth is significantly neutralized," she said.

The Edmonton Journal 2006