To have a beautiful smile, you must have healthy teeth and to have that you must take good care of your oral hygiene. We all know it is important to brush our teeth twice a day and rinse our mouths after meals to take care of our teeth. But have you ever wondered if certain food products or beverages may be deteriorating your teeth and oral health?
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for your health in many ways. It contains vitamin C, antioxidants, phytochemicals, potassium, magnesium, and calcium and has multiple benefits like weight loss, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, boosting skin health, etc. But it may damage your teeth if it is consumed frequently. It is conventionally used as a home remedy to relieve sunburn and acne. However, there are certain side effects of drinking apple cider vinegar on your teeth due to its high acidic content-average pH between 2.5 and 3.0. Read on to find out what our expert, Dr Maahesh Kambley, BDS, PGDCRM, has to say about the effects of apple cider vinegar on your teeth and the steps you can take to lessen or avoid the damage.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar On Teeth
Here are some of the side effects that apple cider vinegar has on your teeth
Tooth Decay
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, and consuming too much acidic content can weaken your tooth enamel. There are no cells in enamel, so if it is destroyed once, your body cannot produce more to replace it, resulting in long-term damage. This will eventually lead to tooth decay and may lead to developing cavities. You should ensure that you dilute apple cider vinegar before consuming it.
Tooth Erosion
Apple cider vinegar can weaken your tooth enamel and lead to the erosion of the outer layer of your teeth. Dental erosion is more likely to occur when there is more exposure. This can lead to other tooth problems, such as tooth loss, and increases the risk of tooth cavities.
Tooth Sensitivity
Another side effect of consuming apple cider vinegar is that it can lead to tooth sensitivity due to the weakening of the tooth enamel.
Swelling
Individuals with a particularly heavy consumption of undiluted apple cider vinegar may also experience swelling or burns inside their oral cavity.
Also Read: Why Is Ice Cream Helpful Post Tooth Extraction, Expert Explains
Tips To Consume Apple Cider Vinegar For Teeth Health
You can reduce the risk of apple cider vinegar on your teeth by following some of these measures.
- You can drink it with the help of a straw to reduce the impact it has on your teeth.
- You should dilute the apple cider vinegar with warm water to reduce its acidic levels to reduce tooth damage. Avoid using it as a mouthwash or drinking it directly from the bottle.
- Avoid brushing your teeth right after consuming apple cider vinegar, as it can damage your tooth enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth after drinking it.
- You can choose to take apple cider vinegar in the form of pills to prevent tooth damage.
- Always practice oral health hygiene to prevent tooth problems and reduce the risk of mouth infections.
Pros Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Oral Health
Apple cider vinegar can also result in some benefits for your oral health if used effectively. Some of them are as follows:
Teeth Whitening
Apple cider vinegar can help whiten your teeth as it has an antimicrobial effect that prevents teeth discolouration and staining. Some of the ways of teeth whitening are teeth whitening strips, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Treats Bad Breath
Bad breath can make you under-confident and make the other person displeased. Apple cider vinegar can help to treat bad breath by balancing the pH levels in your mouth.
Reduces Toothache
It can help reduce toothache as it can aid in killing bacteria and infections in your mouth.
Takeaway
If you are considering apple cider vinegar for dental use, consult your dentist or doctor before trying it. Studies have shown that it causes one to 20% loss of dental minerals. Therefore, use it wisely to prevent the damage it may cause to your teeth.
