Therapist Unlimited Blog

According to the latest medical study, acidic drinks are more deadly for the teeth than whitening creams.
Based on the study conducted by the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center, it was discovered that the effects of 6 percent hydrogen peroxide, the common ingredient in professional and over-the-counter whitening products, are insignificant compared to acidic fruit juices.
Researchers found out that orange juice markedly decreased hardness and increased roughness of tooth enamel.
Eastman Institute’s YanFang Ren, DDS, PhD, and his team determined that the acid is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away.
Ren explained the orange juice decreased enamel hardness by 84 percent.
Ren added no significant change in hardness or surface enamel was found from whitening.
The researchers revealed weakened and eroded enamel might speed up the wear of the tooth and increase the risk for tooth decay to quickly develop and spread.
The team of experts said most soft drinks, including sodas and fruit juices, are acidic in nature.
They said their studies demonstrated that the orange juice, as an example, could potentially cause significant erosion of teeth.
The researchers said it’s long been known that juice and sodas have high acid content, and can negatively affect enamel hardness.
Furthermore, the researchers said there are also some studies that showed whitening can affect the hardness of dental enamel, but until now, nobody had compared the two.

Contrary to public perception, acidic according to medical studies are more harmful for the teeth than most whitening creams.

The researchers said the study allowed them to understand the effect of whitening on enamel relative to the effect of a daily dietary activity, such as drinking juices.
The researchers said it is potentially a very serious problem for people who drink sodas and fruit juices daily, adding that dental researchers nationwide are increasingly studying tooth erosion, and are investing significant resources into possible preventions and treatments.
The researchers admitted they do not yet have an effective tool to avert the erosive effects, although there are early indications that higher levels of fluoride may help slow down the erosion.
Meanwhile, Ren advises that consumers be aware of the acidic nature of beverages, including sodas, fruit juices, sports and energy drinks.
He said the longer teeth are in contact with the acidic drinks, the more severe the erosion will be.
The lead researcher said people who sip their drinks slowly over 20 minutes are more likely to have tooth erosion than those who finish a drink quickly.
The lead researcher added it’s also very important to keep good oral hygiene practices, by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and see a dentist for a fluoride treatment at least once a year if you are at risk.