CanWest News Service
Healthy diet can cause acid damage to teeth

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 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 effects 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 discoloration. 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. That's because 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, adding that it helps to use a soft toothbrush.

Part of the problem is that few Canadians even seem to be aware that the condition exists and that they should be careful about the amount of acid in their food. Only 45 per cent of Canadians know what acid wear is and just five per cent say the condition affects them, according to a recent online survey of 1,081 adult Canadians by Leger Marketing.
More than 50 per cent of Canadians surveyed also said they are eating healthier foods today compared to five years ago, which means they are likely consuming more acid as well. The survey was conducted between June 8 and 11 and results are considered accurate within a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent, 19 times out of 20.