Syreskader especially common among teenage boys

Every third 16-year-old boy in Frederiksberg Municipality syreskader on the teeth, which means etching of tooth enamel. Cola, soda and other soft drinks likely to be the main cause of acid damage - in the jargon called erosions. The result comes from a study conducted by the Frederiksberg Dentistry and presented in Dentistry magazine.

Generally, more than one seventh of the 12-17-year-olds in Frederiksberg syreskader on the teeth. The problem is most often seen among boys, and the damage gets worse the older you get.

In Tandlægebladet presents overtandlæge Lene Esmark from Frederiksberg Dental findings of a survey of the extent and severity of erosions among the 2,151 local children and youth in 12-17-years of age.

According to survey 313 of the youth equivalent to 14.6 per cent. at least one tooth with syreskader. Five have so severe damage to large areas of at least one tooth without enamel.

In all age groups, the incidence of syreskader highest among boys, especially in 15-16-years of age. Among the 16-year-old example has 7.6 per cent. of the girls syreskader, while the same applies to the entire 32.8 percent. of the boys. The large gender difference offset a bit after 16-years old, but the problem remains most prevalent among boys. The five individuals with the most severe type of erosion is also all boys.

Generally it is seen that the problem of syreskader increases with age. The older young people are, the more frequent is the occurrence of syreskader, and severity of damage also increases.

Frederiksberg Dentistry will now proceed to develop targeted prevention programs in the form of guidance and information. Efforts will be aimed at boys and should be implemented as from the 12-year-olds.

Water with lemon juice etches the teeth

Cola, Juices and smoothies are far from the only drink one must be careful with if you want to avoid syreskader on the teeth. Water with lemon or lime slices is in fact almost as bad for your teeth, such as cola.

Summer, sun and cold drinks
Now summer is fast approaching, the need for cold drinks to quench thirst in step with the temperature. In cafes and restaurants is ice cold tap water with fresh lemon or lime slices become very popular among the young, as a "healthy" alternative to the often sugar-filled sodas, which can also be very sour.

But do you drink lemon water more than once a day, you risk the enamel on your teeth etches and already after a single summer's consumption, you can look forward to a hefty bill from the dentist in several thousands of dollars, writes Urban. One of the nation's leading researchers in dental disease, overtandlæge Ulla Pallesen called tooth erosion, a veritable epidemic.

Etching of the teeth
"It damages the teeth of nearly the same degree as cola. The more lemon slices, taking in a jug of water, the more enamel etched there. There is no doubt that the pH smoking significantly below the 5.5 that our teeth can tolerate, "says Ulla Pallesen, who daily work with and teach dental diseases at the University, to Urban. "The enamel is etched slowly but surely, even though no marks or see in the beginning," explains overtandlæge Ulla Pallesen on.

Her research shows that the etching of the teeth is a big problem among Danish youth under 30. And she finds that the incidence of the disorder is only surpassed by caries and periodontal disease. The first and only study on the number of syreskader among teenagers, was created in 2001 by Aarhus municipality in cooperation with the Municipal Dentistry in Aarhus. This study showed that one in six between 15 and 17 years had severe syreskader on the teeth.

How can one protect oneself against syreskader
Can not stay away from lemon water and other acidic beverages should limit intake to a maximum of once a day. The worst thing you can do is to drink it frequently and at regular intervals through the day because it takes time for the mouth and teeth pH value to stabilize again. The consequence of frequent acid bath of the teeth come creeping, and you can not completely brush free himself for them. In fact, should be avoided to brush the teeth shortly after ingestion of acidic beverages, and, rather than rinsing the mouth with clean water immediately after intake. Acidic beverages should not be taken with small sips over a long time, but should instead be enjoyed quickly or with straw.

Consideration should also be aware that excessive eating of sour fruit - like lemons and oranges - and chewing sour candies - such as. gummi - can dissolve enamel and provide syreskader.