Dr. Rodriguez – Martin is a native Floridian. He has also completed more than 250 hours of continuing education in implantology, cosmetic dentistry & orthodontics.
Read more about Henry Rodriguez Martin, DMD
Find Us:
Dentist - Delray Beach,
2100 Lake Ida Road, Suite 2-A
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Find us
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (34)
- dental implants (6)
- oral health (6)
- gum disease (3)
- porcelain veneers (2)
- common symptoms (1)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (4)
- orthodontics (4)
- Root Canals (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- wisdom teeth (2)
- tooth pain (1)
- Crowns (4)
- bonding (1)
- orthodontic treatment (4)
- chipped teeth (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- tmd (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- Decay (1)
- tooth erosion (1)
- oral hygiene (10)
- braces (2)
- Dentures (2)
- family dentist (1)
- fillings (3)
- bad breath (1)
- pediatric dentistry (5)
- restorative dentistry (5)
- cold sore (1)
- tooth decay (4)
- flossing (1)
- seniors (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- diabetes (1)
- dental crowns (2)
- pediatric care (1)
- mouthguards (2)
- toothache (2)
- dental visits (1)
- pen chewing (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- air abrasion (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- Preventive Dentistry (1)
- dental injury (2)
- extractions (1)
- dental services (1)
- preventative dentistry (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- impacted teeth (1)
- root canal (1)
- root canal treatment (1)
- pregnancy (1)
Categories:
My Blog
Posts for tag: tooth erosion
Tooth enamel erosion is a serious issue for many children that can result in permanent impairment of oral health. The problem isn’t just bacterial acid that causes tooth decay — it’s also the high acid content of sodas, energy and sports drinks widely popular among children and teenagers today.
Enamel is made of the strongest substance in the human body, which enables it to shield the inner layers of the teeth from disease and other environmental factors. Its chief nemesis, though, is acid: when enamel interacts with high concentrations of acid for a prolonged time, its mineral content will begin to soften and dissolve, a process known as de-mineralization. Saliva is the enamel’s main protection against acid with the ability to neutralize (or buffer) acid and restore some of the enamel’s mineral content, usually within thirty minutes to an hour after we eat.
The high acid content of many popular beverages, however, can overwhelm saliva’s buffering ability, especially if a person is sipping for an extended time on an acidic drink. This kind of exposure is different from acid produced by bacteria that causes tooth decay: bacterial acid tends to concentrate in specific areas of the teeth, while the constant wash from acidic beverages will have a more generalized eroding effect on teeth.
This level of enamel loss is irreversible, which can leave a tooth in peril of decay and ultimate loss — and increase long-term dental care and costs. The best strategy is to have your child stop or significantly curtail drinking highly acidic beverages. Rather than drink sports beverages for hydration, substitute water, nature’s hydrator. Milk can also be a viable beverage substitute.
If you do allow some acidic beverages, try to limit them to mealtimes and discourage extended sipping. Look for drinks with added calcium as this can reduce the beverage’s erosive potential. The goal is to reduce the amount and duration beverage acid is in contact with tooth enamel.
Making these changes will help greatly to protect your child’s tooth enamel, and give saliva a chance to do its job protecting it. Your efforts will also increase your child’s chances of better dental health in the future.
If you would like more information on dental erosion, please contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Erosion.”
