Most of us know that sugary foods can cause tooth decay, but how many of us realise that some so-called ‘healthy' foods with a high acidic content can erode our teeth?

While sugar causes caries (tooth cavities), acid can gradually erode the enamel from teeth, causing a loss of a tooth's natural contour, or premature exposure of dentine which can lead to uncomfortable tooth sensitivity.

A study on the erosiveness of food and drinks was carried out by the University of Adelaide and showed that soft drinks, some cordials and some juices had a significantly higher potential to erode teeth than tap water mixed with sugar.

Most erosive
The erosive potential of a food can be affected by the amount of saliva a person produces. The saliva acts as a buffer between teeth and the acid. However, ‘sports' drinks were found to be the most erosive. They were closely followed by soft drinks, apple juice, and some cordials. Another study found lemon juice and vinegar the most erosive.

Least erosive
Foods and drinks found to have a much lower potential for erosion were milk, soda water, mineral water, yoghurt and unsweetened orange juice. In the second study beer and tomato soup were among the least erosive.

That doesn't mean you should favour sugary sweets instead of fruit juices and condiments. Even though some ‘good' foods can be acidic, they are still far better for your general health than junk food.

Avoiding erosion
Significant erosion doesn't happen immediately, and can easily be prevented by rinsing your mouth out with water after you've eaten, sipping on water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist, and brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.

Risk factors for tooth erosion include:

If you eat a balanced and varied diet, and enjoy sugary foods and soft drinks as an occasional treat rather than part of your daily routine, you can enjoy healthy teeth for life.