How quickly do the effects of acid wear occur?

There are many factors which contribute to acid wear - most notably, the:

• Frequency of consumption of acidic foods.
• Acidity of foods or drinks.
• Length of contact with teeth.
• Volume of saliva produced by an individual.

People's lifestyles, consumption habits and teeth are different, and each of these can influence the effects of acid wear on the health of our teeth. For this reason it hard to place a universal timeframe on the effects of the condition.

However, according to the 2009 PRONAMEL® National Oral Health Survey, dentists surveyed have highlighted acid wear as a major growing concern for the Australian public - with over 60% believing the condition will become a lot more severe if it’s not addressed.

What causes acid wear?

There are three main factors which play a part in the acid wear equation. These are:

1. Behaviour

• Acidic food and drink intake. The frequency and amount of acidic substances we consume can affect the depth of our condition. The more we consume, more often, the more susceptible we become.
• Tooth brushing technique. Vigorous brushing and brushing immediately after eating can add to the extent of acid wear.
• Grinding teeth can wear down our teeth.
• Regurgitation and vomiting introduces stomach acids into the mouth which are also harsh on teeth.
• Alcohol and recreational drug use fuels acid wear due to their acidic value.
• Occupation. People working in chemical environments can be more at risk than the general population due to the acidic environments in which they operate. Wine tasters are also vulnerable due to the acidity levels in wine and increased exposure.

Frequent consumption of food and drinks with a high acid content can cause acid wear. It is not just what is consumed and how often - but also the way in which acidic items are held within the mouth. Holding or retaining acidic food or drinks in the mouth prolongs the teeth’s exposure to acid, therefore increasing the risk of wear.

2. Biological

This factor relates predominantly to saliva production. The levels of saliva we produce can have an effect on the depth of acid wear. Saliva is the body’s natural defense against acid wear as it can create a buffer between acidic substances and our teeth. How our teeth are structured and positioned within our mouth can also play a role in this process.

3. Chemical

The acidity (pH levels) of foods or beverages can have different effects on the wear and tear of tooth enamel. The more acidic the food or beverage, the greater its potential to cause acid wear.

The biggest contributor to acid wear within our control is our behavioral habits.

Acid in foods

Below are some common foods grouped according to their level of acidity:

Neutral

• Hot breakfast such as bacon, sausage and eggs
• Cereal with milk
• Toast
• Peanut butter on brown bread
• Pita bread, black olives and tuna
• Lobster and rice
• Poached salmon and broccoli
• Cheese board
• Chocolate cake
• Milk

Slightly acidic

• Bananas
• Tomato soup
• Jacket potato and beans
• Hamburger
• Chicken and chips
• Éclairs
• Beer

Highly acidic

• Grapefruit
• Strawberry jam
• Honey
• Meat pie and tomato sauce
• Salad with vinegar dressing
• Steak with mustard
• Tomato salad with balsamic dressing
• Fruit salad
• Rhubarb
• Red wine
• Fresh orange juice

Who is affected by acid wear?

Acid wear can affect just about anyone and has been identified by dentists as an area of growing concern for the Australian public. In fact, according to a 2009 PRONAMEL ® National Oral Health Survey, 60% of Dentists surveyed believe the condition will become a lot more severe if it is not addressed in the future.

Left unmanaged, acid wear may develop into acid erosion. Once a person has acid erosion, the effects are irreversible. For this reason, it is important we understand the facts around the different stages of acid erosion - including acid wear - which can be managed.

Unfortunately, the number of people showing signs of acid wear is rising. This may be due to the fact that the number of people keeping their natural teeth for longer has increased, as well as the increased consumption of acidic foods and drinks.

Experts agree that nearly everybody with their natural teeth will develop signs of acid wear. Acid wear is not selective and is as common in children as it is adults.