Dental Erosion or Acid Erosion
Tooth enamel is transparent and covers the underlying layer, the dentin, which has a brownish color. The thicker the enamel, the whiter the teeth appear. Over time, teeth tend to yellow, particularly as enamel thins and allows more of the brownish dentin to show through. Enamel loss is permanent and progressive, caused by chemical dissolution due to intrinsic and extrinsic acids. Intrinsic factors include medical conditions that cause stomach acids to enter the oral cavity, while extrinsic factors are linked to the consumption of foods or drinks with high acidity, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, citrus fruits, and fruit juices.
The presence of any food or drink in the mouth lowers the pH, and if this acidity is prolonged or repeated, it can lead to enamel demineralization. Modern lifestyles, with frequent snacking and the widespread consumption of carbonated beverages, are contributing to the rise of a new condition: Acid Erosion or Dental Erosion.
Acidic pH causes the loss of minerals (calcium and phosphate) from the enamel. Calcium and phosphate help the bicarbonate naturally present in saliva to restore a neutral pH. Cariex®, which contains bicarbonate, helps control oral pH, thereby preventing enamel loss.