Carbs, sugar and trans fats are always in the news. Who knew we had to worry about acids in our diet, too? It's kind of unfair when you think about it, but eating healthy can be tough on your teeth.

Many wholesome, natural foods are high in acids, as are certain soft drinks and popular beverages. If they're a mainstay of your diet, the acids may be causing gradual "wear and tear" on your tooth enamel.

Acid erosion can develop at any time, at any age. When teeth lose their ability over time to repair the damage from acid erosion, dental problems can occur. Some problems, such as tooth yellowing, are more cosmetic. But others, including tooth sensitivity, can be quite painful.

Enjoy your favorites with Sensodyne® ProNamel™

A food or beverage is acidic if it has a pH value below 7.0. The lower the pH, the higher the acid. If you see foods and drinks that you love on the list below, relax! You don't necessarily have to give them up to control acid erosion and keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.

In addition to using a protective toothpaste like Sensodyne® ProNamel™, it's important to pay attention to how you brush -- and how often you enjoy certain acidic foods and drinks. Read our tips for reducing acid erosion, too.

Acidic foods and drinks

	Higher Acidity Foods Fruits: Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, pineapples, pomegranates, raspberries & strawberries Misc.: Fruit jellies and jams, gelatin, lemon juice, pickles, salad dressings, vinegar & yogurt Beverages Apple cider Energy drinks Fruit juices: Apple, cranberry & grapefruit Soda (incl. diet)

	Medium Acidity Foods Fruits: Apples, apricots, bananas, figs, mangos, nectarines, oranges, peaches & pears Cheese: American, cottage & cream Vegetables: tomatoes Misc.: Green olives, honey, pesto & raisins Beverages Buttermilk Orange juice Wine: Red & white

	Lower Acidity Foods Bread: Rye, wheat & white Cheese: Cheddar & parmesan Grains & legumes: Barley & beans Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, yams & zucchini Misc.: Black olives & peanut butter Beverages Milk Mineral water

For a more complete list of foods and their acid content, visit the "Approximate pH of foods and food products" page on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-phs.html

Tips for reducing acid erosion

• Space the consumption of acidic foods out over the course of a day or a week, so that your teeth aren't getting an "acid blast" all at once.
• Soda is a major cause of acid erosion. If it's your main beverage, consider cutting back and substituting water or another non-acidic drink. Swallow acidic beverages quickly to limit the time your teeth are exposed to the acid, or use a straw to keep acid away from your teeth.
• Your enamel remains soft for a while after you eat or drink something acidic. Waiting at least an hour before you brush is easier on your teeth.