Apples and other fruits are good for your health as part of a healthy balanced diet; however, they can contain high acidity levels and erode your enamel, causing damage to your teeth.
What is dental erosion?
Your teeth are coated with a hard and protective outer layer called ‘enamel’. Erosion is caused by the enamel being lost or worn down by acid attacks introduced through consuming apples and fizzy drinks. Under the enamel is a layer called ‘dentine’ where the nerves are situated. Once the enamel has been worn down, the dentine will be exposed and cause pain and sensitivity.
What can I do to prevent my teeth from being damaged by eating apples?
If you drink water straight after eating an apple, it will help wash away some of the acids, which will result in your teeth suffering less from acid erosion. You can also drink milk or eat cheese to neutralise the effects of acid erosion as they both contain calcium.
How can eroded teeth be treated?
Your teeth may not necessarily need to be treated. As long as you are going to see your dental professional every six months for regular check-ups, they can monitor the situation of your teeth and advise you what to do to prevent you from needing any further treatment. However, if you do need to have treatment on your eroded teeth, depending on how severe the damage is, your dentist should be able to bond a filling onto the tooth to protect it from further decay. In addition, you may need to have a restorative build-up in more severe cases, such as inlay and onlays or dental crowns.
