Pronamel Sensodyne The shocking truth about the future of Australians' teeth

Unusual Food Suspects: how the 21st Century Diet is contributing to the premature ageing of our teeth’s appearance

National research released today reveals Australians are unintentionally placing themselves at risk of an oral care issue, known as Acid Wear. Acid Wear can prematurely age the appearance of teeth - and modern diets are contributing to the problem.

According to the Australian Dental Association, acids in some beverages like fruit juice, sports, soft and caffeinated drinks can contribute to acid wear and affect the health of teeth.

Dr Richard Nirui, dental surgeon from Sydney said "Acid Wear is a growing problem in our modern society and is a major contributor to the wear and tear of the tooth structure. It can lead to tooth erosion resulting in an irreversible loss of enamel (the hardest tissue in the human body!). This is why it’s so important to protect teeth enamel against the effects of Acid Wear. The problem of Acid Wear is becoming the cavities of the 21st Century."

New research* shows that eight-in-10 Australians (82 percent) believe they currently could have damage from Acid Wear.

The research also reveals what Australians really think and know about the health of their teeth and highlights the importance Australians place on the appearance of their teeth.

More than half of Australians (59 percent) rate bad teeth as their greatest concern about ageing, which is higher than the 54 percent who are most worried about decline in eyesight. In addition, two-thirds of Australians say bad teeth influences their first impression of someone and almost all Australians feel a good smile is important in creating a good first impression.

Accredited practising dietitian Geraldine Georgeou says with so many Australians seeking the perfect smile, people don’t realise that many everyday foods and drinks actually contribute to Acid Wear.

"It’s surprising which food and drinks contain acid - they include salad dressings, orange juice, citrus fruit, soft drinks, including diet/sugar-free varieties and wine. However, it’s not just about what is consumed but also how frequently they are consumed and how long they are in contact with the teeth."

"Acid Wear is also caused by grazing on acidic food and drinks throughout the day, which is a common eating habit of today and is confirmed by this new research. Grazing increases the time acids are in contact with the teeth," said Geraldine Georgeou.

Dr Nirui says brushing teeth straight after consuming acidic food or drinks can increase the risk of Acid Wear, as this is when enamel is softest. "This is worrying as this research shows that almost half of Australians (48 percent) brush their teeth within an hour after eating breakfast," he said.

The research also reveals how many Australians are consuming acidic food and drinks and how frequently people are consuming them.

The most common acidic food and drinks consumed by Australians at least every second day include: citrus fruit juices (32 percent); citrus fruit (30 percent); non-diet soft drinks and salads with salad dressing (both 27 percent); diet soft drinks and wine (both 22 percent).

"Sipping acidic drinks slowly or swishing them around in the mouth prolongs the exposure of acid to the teeth," said Geraldine Georgeou. This is common practice for many Australians with the research finding that just over one quarter of Australians (27 percent) who consume citrus fruit juices, and just over one fifth of Australians (23 percent) who consume soft drinks, drink in this way.

"These new findings are extremely interesting. They provide us with a good understanding on the dietary habits of Australians and their potential risk of Acid Wear. The health of my patients’ teeth often provides me with vital clues on what dietary issues may be affecting them - which could be anything from acid reflux to coeliac disease," said Geraldine Georgeou.

The research also looks at our knowledge of Acid Wear. Most Australians (82 percent) believe damage to teeth enamel is primarily due to soft drinks followed by lollies, sweets and chocolates (66 percent).

"The good news is that these findings confirm most Australians understand that foods high in sugar are bad for their teeth and can cause cavities. However, there is little understanding about the foods that can cause Acid Wear," said Dr Nirui.

Three quarters of Australians do not understand that citrus fruit juices, such as orange juice, can affect the wear and tear of their teeth. Only eight percent of Australians believe wine can also have this effect and only two percent believe salad dressings can also contribute.

Pronamel, from the makers of Sensodyne, is a new toothpaste specifically designed for oral hygiene to help protect teeth against the effects of Acid Wear.

* National research with 1000 Australians aged 18-69 years conducted by Stollznow Research for GSK Consumer Healthcare in September 2007.