Dental Erosion

Acid Erosion or Dental Erosion

Enamel is translucent in colour and covers the underlying layer (dentine), which has a hazel hue. The greater the enamel thickness, the whiter the teeth appear. Over time, teeth tend to yellow — in particular, the enamel thins and increasingly reveals the hazel-coloured underlying layer. Enamel loss, which is both permanent and progressive, occurs through chemical dissolution caused by intrinsic and extrinsic acids. Intrinsic factors include all conditions that cause gastric juices to flow into the oral cavity, while extrinsic factors are related to the consumption of foods or beverages with high acidic potential (soft drinks, energy drinks, citrus fruits, fruit juices).

The passage of any food or beverage through the oral cavity causes a drop in pH which, if prolonged and repeated, may lead to enamel demineralisation. Increasingly hectic modern lifestyles, more time spent eating on the go, frequent snacking, and the widespread consumption of carbonated drinks are all contributing to the steady rise of a new condition: Acid Erosion, or Dental Erosion.

An acidic pH causes the loss of minerals (calcium and phosphate) from the enamel in order to counteract the acidic environment. Calcium and phosphate work alongside the bicarbonate naturally present in saliva to restore pH to a neutral level. Cariex®, based on bicarbonate, controls oral pH, thereby helping to prevent enamel loss.