SOS: Teeth Are Made To Last Forever
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Like sucking on pickles? How about savoring a cold swig of your favorite soft drink? If you like food and drinks with high acid content, you can wear down your tooth enamel, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.
There’s no need to stop eating yogurt, fruit, honey and raisins. You just need to change how you eat them, says Dr. David Bartlett, an Academy member.
Bartlett advises waiting 20 minutes after eating acidic foods to brush your teeth, and eating and drinking high-acid items within five minutes, instead of nibbling or sipping through the day.
People with teeth sensitive to hot and cold are good candidates for dentin bonding, in which a dentist paints a thin film over teeth to protect them from further erosion. Toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth and a neutral pH can also help harden tooth enamel that has gotten soft due to erosion.
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