FAQs | Acid Wear in Children

What is acid wear?

It is a form of tooth wear that is caused by acid softening the surface of the tooth's enamel. When tooth enamel (the tooth's hard surface) is exposed to acids (from food, drinks or the stomach e.g. due to sickness or regurgitation), it temporarily softens and loses some of its mineral content. Saliva will help neutralize acidity, restore the mouth's natural balance and slowly reharden the tooth enamel. However, because the tooth's recovery process is slow, if the acid attack happens frequently, the tooth does not have a chance to repair. When the enamel surface is soft and we brush our teeth, the enamel can be worn away more easily, becoming thinner over time. This wearing of enamel caused by acid is called acid wear.

Is acid wear the same as cavities?

No. Cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth, which convert sugar and carbohydrates from the foods we eat into acid. This acid gradually dissolves the tooth enamel and dentin resulting in tooth decay. Acid wear is not caused by bacteria, but instead occurs when food acids act directly on the surface of the tooth, where they can soften the tooth enamel. Cavities also often happen in one localized area, while acid wear can occur in the whole mouth.

What are some of the causes of acid wear?

Frequent consumption of food and drinks with a high acid content can cause enamel wear. When tooth enamel is exposed to acids (from food, drinks or the stomach), it temporarily softens and loses some of its mineral content. Saliva will help neutralize acidity, restore the mouth's natural balance and slowly reharden the tooth enamel. However, because the tooth's recovery process is slow, if the acid attack happens frequently, the tooth does not have a chance to repair itself. Wine, many fruits and some soft drinks can be highly acidic and therefore potentially damaging to the teeth. Some acidic foods should not and cannot be easily avoided, since they are important to a healthy diet. But care needs to be taken as to when and how often they are consumed. It’s not just what is consumed that causes acid wear, but also the way that acidic items are held within the mouth. Holding or retaining acidic food or drinks in the mouth can increase the acidic drink's contact with the tooth or teeth, again increasing the risk of acid wear. Acid wear can also be caused by internal acids. This is common in people who suffer from gastric reflux disease as well as some eating disorders.

Can children have acid wear?

Yes. "Baby teeth" are very much at risk from acid wear because they are less mineralized with softer enamel than adult teeth. Acid wear in primary teeth can also lead to acid wear in permanent teeth. For both reasons, great care should be taken with the acidic content of a child's diet. In fact, levels of acid wear among youth 11-14 highlight the need for early prevention. Children should be encouraged to form good oral hygiene habits and limit brushing directly after consuming acidic fruits or fruit juices.

How does Pronamel For Children work?

Pronamel For Children was developed in conjunction with dentists to help protect children's teeth from acid wear and cavities with twice daily brushing. It works in several ways:

It's specially formulated to help reharden acid-softened enamel, keeping children’s teeth strong and healthy
It also helps to protect against cavities

When and how should Pronamel For Children be used?

Your child should use Pronamel For Children as a daily toothpaste, following this simple advice:

Brush twice a day for two minutes
Encourage your child to avoid swallowing and to spit out after brushing
Ask your dentist for advice on brushing techniques

What happens if nothing is done about acid wear?

If left untreated, children may need dental treatment to protect the teeth and the underlying dentin from further damage.

Does Pronamel For Children treat sensitivity?

Pronamel For Children contains a similar specialized fluoride formulation as Pronamel. However, unlike the adult variant, it does not contain a desensitizing agent. Dentin sensitivity is rare in children and should be treated by a dentist.