Dr. Dayan was featured in Martha Stewart Living Magazine in the article titled The 10 Worst Foods For Your Teeth. Her input on acidic fruit and teeth was rated #2 on the list! She discussed that while citrus fruits are extremely healthy, it is best not to eat them by fruit mulling, where the fruit is chewed for a long period of time. This is one of the major causes of tooth erosion (along with coke swishing and acid reflux).
What is tooth erosion? As hard as tooth enamel is, the high acid content can cause it to demineralize. Saliva has a natural buffering action that can remineralize the teeth but not when the acid exposure is prolonged.
Other habits like Coke swishing also contribute to dental erosion. Consumers of soft drinks like Coke sometimes do not like the sensation of the fizzy bubbles going down the throat and hold the Coke in the mouth until the fizz goes away. This prolongs the exposure of the teeth to the acidic Coke and is harmful for the teeth.
You don’t have to give up fruit in order to prevent teeth erosion. Here are some tips to consider:
- Never suck on lemon and limes.
- Rinse with baking soda and water after to neutralize the acid.
- Eat cheese after your fruit.
- Dr. Dayan recommends a tooth cream called MI Paste that helps strengthen teeth with a unique calcium and phosphate releasing formula.
- Be sure to keep up your Magnesium levels. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is necessary for strong teeth.
For the full article, read here