The risks of sugary and acidic foods and drinks to dental health are well-documented; however, a new study has now included vitamin supplement drinks in the list of potentially harmful substances.
The study, which was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Helsinki, examined the effects of vitamin solutions, which involve a vitamin tablet being dissolved in water. The study trialled eight different suspensions and found all of them to have potentially damaging effects on teeth.
The trial involved leaving teeth in the vitamin suspensions for a period of one hundred hours. After the time had lapsed the teeth were tested and all were found to have lost important mineral content. The loss of minerals leaves the teeth prone to decay because it damages the enamel surface of the teeth.
The study concluded that Vitamin C drinks were the most damaging, with a considerable loss of minerals and the erosion of the enamel surface so extensive that the dentin portion of the tooth became exposed; this causes sensitivity and makes the tooth much more vulnerable to decay. The citric acid that is contained in the fizzy vitamin suspensions has been proven to contribute to dental erosion by the University of Baltimore’s dental school.
Although the study is unrealistic in terms of the length of time that the teeth were exposed to the acids contained in the drinks, drinking one of these drinks each day could achieve the same levels of damage as one period of prolonged exposure.
Experts have advised people to avoid regular consumption of foods or drinks that have a high acidic value as well as those that are high in sugar. These types of foods cause the enamel to soften temporarily, which makes the tooth more vulnerable to bacteria. If you do consume a sugary or acidic product, avoid brushing your teeth for an hour afterwards as you will probably end up removing some of the softened enamel. Drinking tea after a fizzy drink or eating a yoghurt or lump of cheese can also help to protect the teeth, as they neutralise the acids in the mouth and encourage remineralisation.
