Sour for your teeth

CEBU, Philippines - Last Sunday, like a happy child enjoying his loot of candies, I was delighted to bring with me my loot from the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center – a small pastic bag full of kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi), or iba, as we call it in Dumaguete.

It's been a long time since I had this treat. Usually I would have this dipped in vinegar and soy sauce. I know, considering how sour these little creatures could be, it is unthinkable to use vinegar as condiment, but then I love sour flavors.

 This little indulgence reminded me of an article I once read on RealAge, that sour food causes dental caries. I did a little research over in the internet and found these nuggets of information on dental care, which I would like to share with you.

 In 2008, the Minnesota Dental Association launched a campaign called The Power of Sour on Your Teeth, owing to the association's concern on the rise in popularity of sour candy and treats.

 Their concern was based on a study published in the association's Northwest Dentistry Journal (March-April 2008), which revealed that sour candies have acidity levels nearing that of battery acid.

 In a presentation, the MDA pointed out that tooth erosion occurs when acid eats up its protective layer, called the enamel. These acids are present in large amounts in many sour candies (and I reckon, sour fruits as well), owing to the sour flavor.

 The MDA said that erosion occurs at pH levels of 4.0, and most of these sour treats already have pH levels beyond that, ranging from 3.0 to 1.0.

 But then, this does not mean that we can't have sour food, after all, why have such flavor if we can't enjoy it, right? We must, however, be wary of the signs of dental erosion, which the MDA pointed out as follows:

 Sensitive teeth. When you start to feel tingling or painful sensation every time you take something cold, hot, or sweet, this means "your tooth enamel is wearing away," exposing sensitive nerves, which caused the sensation.

 Discoloration. Yellowish discoloration of the teeth does not necessarily mean you have strong incisors, as what my dentist once told me. It also means that your teeth are prone to decay and that the enamel may be wearing off.

 Transparency. Because of dental erosion, the tips of your teeth would appear translucent. No, it's not because your teeth are becoming pearly white, rather, they are becoming thinner.

 Dents. Ever wonder why your fillings are falling off? If you think it's because your dentist was not serious with his work, well, you might think twice. Falling fillings could also mean that your teeth is eroding as such the cavity that it may be trying to cover is already getting bigger. This could also be dangerous as gaps on your fillings could be an entry point for bacteria, causing even more trouble.

 Tooth decay. Because your teeth "lost the outermost protective layer of enamel," it becomes prone to bacteria and thus, decay.

 The MDA also have the following recommendations, should you not be able to resist the temptation into digging on that sour treat:

 Rinse with water. Right after indulging on that sour treat, swish some water in your mouth to wash away some of the acid.

 Drink milk. Milk and cheese neutralizes the effect of acid on your teeth. Dairy products also harden and strengthen the enamel of your teeth owing to its calcium content.

 Wait for an hour before brushing. Although some would say that thirty minutes would be fine, MDA recommends to wait for an hour before brushing. This allows your teeth to re-harden. The acid content of sour food you just had could soften the enamel of your teeth, as such, brushing it immediately after eating could be potentially harmful.

 Choose soft. The reason above is also the reason why you should choose soft bristle toothbrush, over hard bristled ones. Our teeth are a set of sensitive equipment and not some iron-hard tool that needs a lot of poking and all that. Should you feel that there's food debris stuck between your teeth, use floss rather than attacking it with a broom-like brush. Soft bristles would be enough to clean your pearly whites.

 Use flouride toothpaste. Flouride strengthens the teeth in that it helps prevent acid from dissolving the tooth enamel. It also helps repair and reverse mild tooth decay, and prevent cavities from forming.

 Enjoying sour food occasionally is fine, as long as you know how to take care of your teeth right after. For more information, check out the MDA website at mndental.org, or visit your dentist for some dental advice.

Visit the author's site at http://tribong-upos.xanga.com. Or follow him on Twitter at @tribong_upos.