A guide to acidic food and drink

Australia’s bar and restaurant scene is second to none, but many of the foods and drinks involved in a modern diet, including wine, some fruits, salad dressing and fizzy drinks (including sugar-free drinks), contain acid.

What is acid wear?
Acid wear is a growing problem that contributes to the everyday wear and tear of teeth. The acids in certain foods and drinks can temporarily soften the enamel on the tooth surface. This softened enamel is vulnerable to wear. This process is known as acid wear and can affect the appearance of teeth.

What is the difference between decay and wear?
When foods containing sugars or starches are eaten, the bacteria in the mouth (in plaque) convert these products to acids that can lead to dissolving of the tooth enamel. Over time, this can cause the enamel to break down and a cavity to form, which may require filling by a dentist.

While decay is a localised process (ie it does not effect all of the teeth at one time), wear occurs across the whole tooth surface that has been exposed to acid. It does not involve bacteria or dietary sugars, but is the result of direct action of acids.

What causes acid wear?
Frequent consumption of food and drinks with a high acid content can cause acid wear. When tooth enamel is exposed to acids it temporarily softens. Saliva helps neutralise acidity to restore the mouth's natural balance and slowly re-harden the softened tooth enamel. However, because the tooth's recovery process is slow, if exposure to acid happens frequently, the tooth may be vulnerable to wear and tear known as acid wear.

Acidic foods should not and cannot be easily avoided, but care needs to be taken as to when and how often they are consumed.

What foods are deemed acidic?
Some examples of acidic foods and drinks include some fruits, wine, fruit juices and salad dressing.

How does PRONAMEL protect teeth from acid wear?

PRONAMEL toothpaste, from the makers of SENSODYNE, has been specifically developed as a product for oral hygiene that protects teeth from the effects of acid wear. It works in a number of ways:

Brush your teeth gently but thoroughly in a circular motion twice a day with PRONAMEL toothpaste and toothbrush.

Does PRONAMEL repair tooth enamel?
Once tooth enamel is lost, it cannot be replaced. PRONAMEL’s optimised fluoride formula rehardens temporarily softened enamel, to help protect your teeth from the effects of acid wear.

	Did you know that consuming some everyday foods and drinks can lead to a condition where your tooth enamel can be more easily worn away, resulting in some undesirable effects on your teeth? Many of the foods and drinks that we associate with a modern diet, including wine, some fruits, orange juice and salad dressing contain acids that can temporarily soften tooth enamel making it vulnerable to acid wear.
	PRONAMEL is a daily toothpaste that has been specifically formulated to improve oral hygiene by helping to protect your teeth from the effects of acid wear. Acid wear exposed Reasons to smile Find out more at pronamel.com.au

Pronamel is a registered trade mark statement of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies