Acid in the fruit is harmful to the tooth enamel

Not only sweets, but also fruits such as kiwis or oranges can damage the teeth, according to the initiative proDente. According to the experts, the acid in fruit juices and fruit attacks the enamel and leads to so-called tooth erosion. The risk can be minimized with the help of a few small tricks - with full enjoyment of healthy food.

Although fruit and fruit juices make a significant contribution to healthy nutrition, the teeth can be damaged by the direct action of acid. The acids superficially soften the enamel, minerals are flushed out and the enamel loses its thickness, according to the proDente initiative. In this way not only sweet, but also acid harm the teeth. The effect was observed with lemonade, wine and sparkling wine, but could also be triggered by "healthy food such as certain fruit or salads with vinegar oil dressing". In general, foods such as citrus and fruit juices are usually very acidic and therefore potentially harmful to the teeth when consumed frequently.

Milk or a fruit quark counteract the tooth erosion
According to the proDente initiative, the strongly acidic fruits include citrus fruits as well as acid berries such as redcurrants. In order to reduce the risk of tooth erosion during consumption, the experts recommend "to take calcium, for example in the form of a fruit curd, on or after the sour fruit." A glass of milk also enriches the saliva with calcium. At least in part, such a replacement of the washed out melted minerals is possible. However, with too many acidic meals over a long period of time, the buffering effect of the saliva and the remineralizing power of the enamel are overwhelmed. The thickness of the enamel continues to decrease, until finally the yellowish dentin, the dentin, shimmers through. In addition to the loss of tooth substance, those affected above all have to cope with the increased temperature sensitivity of the teeth.

Brush your teeth before eating?
With regard to brushing teeth with sour foods, the sentence "after eating - brushing teeth do not forget" according to the experts rather no validity. Rather, brushing your teeth right after consuming highly acidic foods such as oranges could cause the superficially softened tooth enamel to be "brushed away". "Those who like to eat fresh, sour fruit for breakfast should better clean their teeth before eating," according to the initiative proDente. Alternatively, you can wait around half an hour to one hour to clean it after eating so that there is no longer any danger of brushing away the softened enamel surface. "If you do not want to wait so long, you should at least eat some calcium-containing food, such as yoghurt or cheese, or drink a glass of milk after the fruit," says the initiative. The calcium ions would at least partially compensate for the mineral losses in the enamel triggered by the acid. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Timo Klostermeier