While most people would be aware that sugary foods can cause tooth decay, research into tooth erosion has shown that even some common ?healthy? foods with a high acidic content can erode teeth.

This fact was revealed as part of Dental Awareness Month, an oral health care initiative of the Australian Dental Association (ADA).

Chairman of the ADA?s Oral Health Education Committee, Dr Don Wilson said that a study on the erosiveness of foods and beverages conducted by the University of Adelaide had found that soft drinks, some cordials and some juices had a significantly higher potential to erode teeth than tap water mixed with sugar.

?While sugar causes caries (tooth cavities), acid can gradually erode the enamel from teeth, causing a loss of a tooth?s natural contour, or premature exposure of dentine which can lead to uncomfortable tooth sensitivity,? Dr Wilson said.

?Thankfully, people in Australia are now avoiding dental caries by looking after their teeth, so more people are retaining their own teeth into old age. That means that the role of dental erosion as a source of damage to teeth is becoming of greater concern,? he said.

Different products will have different erosive potential for different people at different times, because the erosive potential can be affected by factors such as the amount of saliva a person produces which acts as a buffer between teeth and the acid.

However, ?sports? drinks were found to be the most erosive, closely followed by soft drinks, apple juice, and some cordials. Milk, soda water, mineral water, yoghurt and unsweetened orange juice were found to have much lower potential for erosion.

In a separate study of common food items, lemon juice and vinegar topped the list for erosive potential, while beer and tomato soup were among the least erosive.

?That doesn?t mean you should favour sugary sweets instead of fruit juices and condiments. Even though some ?good? foods can be acidic, they are still far better for your general health than junk food,? Dr Wilson said.

?Significant erosion doesn?t happen immediately, and can easily be prevented by rinsing your mouth out with water after you?ve eaten, sipping on water throughout the

www.ada.org.au Official sponsors of Dental Awareness Month 2002 Listerine Colgate Oral Care Braun Oral-B Kraft Cheestik Wrigley?s Extra

day to ensure you keep your mouth moist, and brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.?

Risk factors for tooth erosion include:

-- Excessive daily consumption of more than a litre of drink (not including water)

-- A history of past high dental caries activity

-- Reduced saliva due to dehydration from sport, medications, chronic vomiting or stomach reflux

-- Frequent sipping of erosive drinks or holding drinks in the mouth before swallowing

?If you eat a balanced and varied diet, and enjoy sugary foods and soft drinks as an occasional treat rather than part of your daily routine, you can enjoy health teeth for life.?

Free advice on all dental health care, products and services can be obtained on TUESDAY, 13 AUGUST 9am-9pm by calling the ADA?s Dental Awareness Month hotline number on freecall 1800 678 383.

Held during August, Dental Awareness Month is the Australian Dental Association?s major oral health care initiative. This year it focuses on Dentistry for the Ageing and is sponsored by Braun Oral-B, Colgate Oral Care, Kraft Cheestiks, Wrigley?s Extra Sugarfree Gum and Listerine.

http://www.ada.org.au

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
DR. DON WILSON
08 8353 4477 OR (MOBILE 0417 886 293)
OR
SIMON HATCHER
HAMRA MANAGEMENT
08 8362 0855 OR (MOBILE 0419 780 071)