Can Acid From Fruits Affect Your Teeth?

Yes, acid from fruits can affect your teeth. However, so can a number of other foods, including sugary foods and drinks. Part of keeping a healthy set of teeth is regular brushing and flossing. If you are concerned about the acidic affects on teeth, then doing a little research might help ease your mind.

About the Acid in Fruit

• Acid has the power to erode hard surfaces. The acid found in fruit has the ability to gradually wear down your tooth enamel. Citric acids are considered to be one of the strongest acids found in fruit. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes contain citric acid. Other fruits also contain acid too, however the acid level is much lower.

What Acid Does to Your Teeth

• The acid in fruit erodes your enamel. This eventually exposes the dentin underneath. Tooth sensitivity and tooth decay can occur from acidic wear from fruits and other foods and beverages. Tooth decay causes cavities and destroys your teeth. Fixing these problems can become quite costly.

Is This a New Development?

• No, the affect fruit acid has on our teeth is not a new development. However, many people choose these healthy snacks over junk food, thinking they are doing something better for themselves. Of course, your body needs the nutrients found in fruits, so it's hard to tell the public to avoid consuming fruit. There are ways to still eat fruit, but help combat the damaging affects to our teeth.

What Can be Done to Combat Acidic Erosion?

• There are a few things that can be done to help combat tooth erosion and decay, when it comes to acidic fruits. For one, you can avoid eating too many fruits throughout the day. You should stick to the food pyramid guide, which states adults should eat two to four servings of fruit each day. You can also drink water, or eat foods with a high alkalinity level when you eat fruit. According to Canada.com, "It also helps to eat nuts or dairy products alongside fruits and other foods high in acid." This helps lower the level of acid in your mouth. They also suggest you wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. This is because the brushing can speed up the acidic erosion process.