How to Protect Your Teeth from Enamel Damage and Acid Erosion 

It's a question we should be asking ourselves more often. Did you know that 9 out of 10 adults are at risk of tooth enamel loss from the foods they re eating? Depending on your diet, you could be at risk of tooth enamel erosion due to an acidic diet.​

What Can Cause Enamel Loss? 

Acids in everyday foods and drinks can put your teeth at risk, as they can eat away at the protective outer surface of your tooth known as enamel. Surprisingly, many healthy foods and drinks, like fruits and juices, are highly acidic. With more and more of us adopting healthier lifestyles, it's equally important that we look after our teeth while enjoying these foods and drinks and their benefits — without increasing the risk of tooth enamel acid erosion. ​

How Acidic Is Your Diet? 

High Acidity: ​

  • Lemon/lemon juice ​
  • Wine Sports drinks ​
  • Tonic water ​
  • Cherries ​
  • Soda ​
  • Pickles ​
  • Sambar ​
  • Chaat ​
  • Mosambi ​
  • Plums ​
  • Iced tea Vinegar Apple juice Oranges/orange juice ​
  • Tomatoes ​

Low Acidity: ​

  • Bananas ​
  • Bread ​
  • Cheese ​
  • Avocados ​
  • Broccoli ​
  • Cucumbers ​
  • Peanut butter ​
  • Milk ​
  • Lauki ​
  • Bhindi ​
  • Anjeer ​
  • Chikoo ​
  • Water ​

What Does Enamel Loss Look Like? ​

Enamel damage can affect how your teeth look and feel. Even if your teeth look healthy today, your dentist can check for early signs of enamel loss, which can worsen over time. Furthermore, tooth enamel erosion is permanent, and once erosion occurs, your risk of cavities and tooth decay increases Here are some signs that you may be affected by tooth enamel loss:​

Rounded edges - The edges of your teeth are the most exposed to acid wear, so will tend to be worn away first.​

Yellowing - If a significant amount of enamel is worn away from the tooth, the slightly yellow dentin layer underneath can become more visible.​

Translucent or see-through — As more enamel wears away, teeth can become visibly thinner. As the enamel thins, the edges of your teeth can appear translucent.​

Sensitivity - As the protective enamel wears away, the underlying dentin layer can become exposed. This can be one of the causes of sensitivity. ​

How Can You Protect Yourself from Enamel Loss? ​

Fortunately, it's easy to reduce the risk of tooth enamel acid erosion. Keep making healthy choices for your body - but just take a few simple steps to protect your teeth too. Here are some tips to help you fix enamel on teeth and prevent further enamel damage, find out what's acidic in your diet and try some simple ways to reduce harm: ​

If you're eating something acidic, have cheese, milk, banana or another low acidic food or drink with it​

Try to have fewer acidic snacks​

Use a straw (reusable or paper) when consuming acidic drinks and don't swish them around or hold them in your mouth ​

Try not to brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking anything acidic ​
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Use Sensodyne Pronamel Fresh Breath toothpaste. It’s scientifically proven to give you 2X Stronger Enamel Protection and can freshen breath while fighting cavities. It also supports tooth enamel, helps rebuild and protect against everyday acid wear. Visit your dentist for regular check-ups to detect early signs of enamel loss and discuss professional options for tooth enamel repair. ​