This Q&A can help you to assess your diet and lifestyle risk factors for acid erosion. It also can help you to become aware of acid erosion signs and symptoms.
After you answer each question YES or NO, you'll receive an automatic response. When you complete the assessment, print out your results. Bring them to your next dental check-up and talk to your dentist about the best dental care plan for you.
If you do find out that you have risk factors or signs of acid erosion, it's better to know now because you can take steps to control them. Either way, brushing daily with Sensodyne® ProNamel™ is a smart way to protect your teeth.
Risk Assessment Q&A
1. Do you eat a lot of acidic foods, including fruit, salad dressing and yogurt?
NO: If acidic foods like these aren't part of your regular diet, you may have a lower risk of acid wear. But make sure you're eating enough healthy foods in your diet.
These foods are healthy parts of a balanced diet. But they're also naturally high in acids that can attack your enamel and cause acid erosion. Since they are nutritious, avoiding them is not the best solution. Instead, try to space the consumption of these foods out over the course of a day or week so that you're not giving your teeth an "acid blast" all at once.
2. Do you drink acidic beverages regularly, such as wine, fruit juice and soda (regular or sugar-free)?
NO:
Limiting acidic drinks in your diet is one way to reduce your risk of acid wear.
YES: Drinking acidic beverages often increases your acid erosion risk. Consider switching to less acidic drinks at least some of the time. Keep in mind, too, that the way you drink acidic beverages can be as important as how many of them you drink. For example, avoid swishing acidic drinks in your mouth. Swallow them quickly, or use a straw to prevent acids from making contatact with your teeth.
3. Do you have problems with acid reflux, indigestion or frequent vomiting?
NO:
That's good news for your overall health -- and also for your teeth, since these conditions can increase the amount of mouth acid that's in contact with your teeth.
These conditions can increase the amount of acid in your mouth, which in turn can raise your risk of acid wear.For your overall health as well as your teeth, talk to your doctor about medications, treatments or lifestyle changes that could help to control or eliminate these problems.
4. Do you brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking?
NO: That's good news if you've been eating acidic foods or drinking acidic beverages, because waiting at least an hour before brushing gives your enamel time to re-harden. But make sure you're remembering to brush your teeth at least twice a day, because that's the best way to prevent cavities and freshen your breath.
Most of us are taught that brushing right away is the best way to prevent cavities and freshen our breath. But it's not the best solution for your teeth if you've been consuming acidic foods or beverages. In that case, wait at least an hour to brush. Your enamel is at its most soft right after an acidic meal -- and more vulnerable to damage from brushing. Unlike other toothpastes, Sensodyne® ProNamel™ actually helps to re-harden softened enamel.
5. Do you use a firm toothbrush, buy "grainy" toothpaste and/or brush hard for several minutes at a time?
NO: Using a medium or soft toothbrush, along with a non-abrasive toothpaste like Sensodyne® ProNamel™, is a more gentle, effective way to clean your teeth. Brushing too vigorously or for too long can be harmful to your enamel and gums.
Contrary to what you may think, using the firmest brush or toughest toothpaste and brushing vigorously can be harmful to your teeth and gums. You could be wearing down your enamel and making your teeth more vulnerable to acid wear. Sensodyne® ProNamel™, on the other hand, is non-abrasive and scientifically formulated to help harden enamel.
6. Do you see the dentist at least once a year?
NO: Make time for an annual dental visit -- that's not too much to ask for your teeth! In addition to spotting cavities or other problems, your dentist can look for visual signs of acid wear, which may not be noticeable to you. If you have signs, your dentist can suggest a protective dental care routine.
You're on the right track when it comes to keeping your teeth looking and feeling their best. As part of your annual exam, your dentist can check for signs of acid wear -- signs that you may not notice, especially in the early stages. The earlier acid wear is detected, the more you can do to protect your teeth.
7. Do your teeth twinge or ache when you are eating or drinking something hot/cold/sweet, brushing or flossing, and/or spending time outside in cold weather?
NO: If you don't experience these problems, you're lucky. You probably don't have tooth sensitivity -- an irritating or painful condition that often develops because of acid wear.
If you answered yes to any or all of these, you probably have tooth sensitivity, which can develop at any stage of acid wear, from early to advanced. Tooth sensitivity can be mildly irritating or quite painful. Sensodyne® ProNamel™ contains a special ingredient to provide relief for sensitive teeth.
8. Do your teeth have a "glassy" or transparent look, yellowed appearance, rounded edges, overly smooth surfaces, cracks or dents?
NO: Be glad -- in addition to being unattractive, these are signs of acid wear. If you don't see these signs or have tooth sensitivity, chances are good that you don't have acid wear. The only way to know for sure, though, is through a dental exam. Acid wear can develop at any time, so it's important to proactively protect your teeth -- especially if you have risk factors (see questions 1–6). Brushing with Sensodyne® ProNamel™ can help to harden your enamel and keep your teeth strong.
If you have any of these signs, you may have acid wear -- especially if you have tooth sensitivity, too. To find out for sure, make an appointment with your dentist. Some of these signs, such as transparency, tend to show up in the early stages of acid wear. Others tend to occur in the later stages. Whether you have mild or severe acid wear, the right dental care plan and lifestyle changes are key to preventing further damage. Using Sensodyne® ProNamel™ toothpaste to harden your enamel is another way you can protect your teeth.
