What Causes Tooth Damage / Demineralization?
Tooth damage and demineralization occurs as minerals are lost from the tooths outer surface. Mineral loss happens whenever acidic liquids contact teeth, for example when you consume foods or drinks that are acidic (this includes most drinks diet and regular, beer, wine, coffee, many herbal teas, fruited, vitamin, some tap and most bottled waters) lemon and other citrus fruits and juices, vinegar or acidic fermented products. Acidity can also come from the stomach acids of acid reflux (GERD) or during vomiting, and from mineral-poor (acidic) saliva, or from acid-producing plaque on teeth. Damage will be less if teeth have strong, acid-resistant enamel. Healthy, mineral-rich saliva dilutes acidity and washes it from teeth. People with a dry mouth or acidic saliva will be at more risk for demineralization and tooth damage.
