CHEMISTRY PROJECT

2023-24

ACID V/S TEETH

 SABARIGIRI ENGLISH SCHOOL ANCHAL
CHEMISTRY PROJECT REPORT
2023-24

NAME:
CLASS:
REG.
NO:

EXAMINER:

TEACHER IN CHARGE

SABARIGIRI ENGLISH
SCHOOL ANCHAL
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that master / miss

of class XII B, Roll no: has completed his/her
investigatory project entitled ACID V/S TEETH in chemistry during the
academic year 2023-2024 for the partial fulfillment of his/her academic course.
The subject matter present in the project is original and bonafide in nature.

Principal

Teacher-in-charge
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to extend my sincere and heartfelt obligation to all those who have
helped me in completing this project. Without their active guidance, help,
cooperation and encouragement, I would not have been able to present the project
on time.

I am extremely thankful towards my teachers Mrs. SUNITHA.R and Mr.

RATHEESH.R ,for their valuable support for the completion of this project.

I extend my gratitude to my principal Mrs. ASHA.B for the moral support

extended during the tenure of this project.

I also acknowledge with a deep sense of reverence, my gratitude towards my parents,

other faculty members of the school and friends for their valuable suggestions given to
me in completing this project.

DATE:
NAME OF STUDENT:
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

S.no. Content Page no.

1 MATERIALS AND METHODS 6

2 INTRODUCTION 7

3 THE EFFECT OF ACID VS TEETH 8

4 ACID EROSION 9-10

EXTRINSIC ACID ERROSION V/S

5 INTRINSIC ACID ERROSION 11-12

CAUSE OF DENTAL EROSION

6 13-14

SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL EROSION

7 15

HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL EROSION

8 16-17

CONCLUSTION
9 18

BIBLIOGRAPHY
10 19

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 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Investigatory study was conducted based on the reports from reference

books and the internet.

6
 INTRODUCTION
Our tooth enamel is majorly made up of minerals and ions such as calcium and
phosphate which provide strength to our teeth. The enamel is the outermost
protective layer of our teeth. Acids or acid- containing substances result in
demineralization and hence tear away the enamel. Human teeth are made of four
different tissues – enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. Here we only need to
consider the first type of tissue, that is, enamel.

Enamel is the outermost hard covering of the teeth. It is the hardest tissue in the
human body as it is mostly made up of inorganic materials and strong minerals
such as hydroxyapatite which is a mineral form of calcium phosphate. The
enamel is so hard that it can withstand acid-base fluctuations and heavy forces.

But when the oral pH drops below 5.5 (too acidic), the enamel gets prone to
demineralization. Demineralization is the process of dissolution or loss of the
minerals by the action of acid. When there is an excess of acid in the mouth, the
phosphate from hydroxyapatite crystals combines with an acid to form
hydrogen phosphate species which then dissolves.
In this project, an attempt has been made to study how acid will affect the
teeth, it’s type symptoms and preventive measures.

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 THE EFFECT OF ACID VS TEETH
Acids can wash away the hard substance that makes up your teeth, leading to
tooth surface loss. Acid can also soften the tooth surface, making it easier for
it to be worn away by abrasion or teeth grinding. This is known as acid wear
or erosive tooth wear.

Nutritious, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have some acidic
effects on tooth enamel, so eat them as part of a meal, not by themselves. Dried
fruits, including raisins, can also cause problems because they are sticky and
adhere to teeth, so the acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria continue to
harm teeth long after you stop eating them.

Still, the major erosion culprit is soft drinks, especially soda and sports drinks.
Even if they are sugar-free, they are more likely to be acidic thanks to
carbonation. That bubbly fizz raises the acid level of any drink, regardless of its
flavor.

Acid in beverages can also come from citrus flavorings such as lemon, lime and
orange. Even all-natural beverages like orange juice or fresh-squeezed lemonade
are higher in acid than regular water, so make them an occasional treat instead
of a daily habit.

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 ACID EROSION
Acid erosion is a type of tooth wear. It is defined as the irreversible loss of tooth
structure due to chemical dissolution by acids not of bacterial origin. Dental
erosion is the most common chronic condition of children ages 5–17, although
it is only relatively recently that it has been recognized as a dental health
problem. There is generally widespread ignorance of the damaging effects of
acid erosion; this is particularly the case with erosion due to consumption of
fruit juices because they tend to be considered as healthy. Acid erosion begins
initially in the enamel, causing it to become thin, and can progress into
dentin, giving the tooth a dull yellow appearance and leading to dentin
hypersensitivity.

The most common cause of erosion is by acidic foods and drinks. In general,
foods and drinks with a pH below 5.0–5.7 have been known to trigger dental
erosion effects. Numerous clinical and laboratory reports link erosion to
excessive consumption of such drinks. Those thought to pose a risk are soft
drinks, some alcohol and fruit drinks, fruit juices such as orange juice (which
contain citric acid) and carbonated drinks such as colas (in which the carbonic
acid is not the cause of erosion, but citric and phosphoric acid).Additionally,
wine has been shown to erode teeth, with the pH of wine as low as 3.0–3.8.
Other possible sources of erosive acids are from exposure to poorly regulated
chlorinated swimming pool water, and regurgitation of gastric acids. In
children with chronic diseases, the use of medicines

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with acid components is a risk factor too. Dental erosion has also been recorded
in the fossil record and was likely caused by the consumption of acidic fruits or
plants

Frequency rather than total intake of acidic juices is seen as the greater factor
in dental erosion; infants using feeding bottles containing fruit juices (especially
when used as a comforter) are therefore at greater risk of acid erosion.
Saliva acts as a buffer, regulating the pH when acidic drinks are ingested.
Drinks vary in their resistance to the buffering effect of saliva. Studies show
that fruit juices are the most resistant to saliva's buffering effect, followed by, in
order: fruit-based carbonated drinks and flavored mineral waters, non-fruit-
based carbonated drinks, sparkling mineral waters; mineral water being the least
resistant. Because of this, fruit juices in particular, may prolong the drop in pH
levels

A number of medications such as chewable vitamin C, aspirin and some iron

preparations are acidic and may contribute towards acid erosion. Certain drugs
can cause hypo salivation (low quantity or quality of saliva) which is considered
a risk factor for acid erosion.

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 EXTRINSIC ACID ERROSION V/S
INTRINSIC ACID ERROSION
Extrinsic acid erosion is when the source of acid originates from outside of the
body. Acidic food and drink lowers the pH level of the mouth resulting in
demineralization of the teeth. A variety of drinks contribute to dental erosion
due to their low pH level. Examples include fruit juices, such as apple and
orange juices, sports drinks, wine and beer. Carbonated drinks, such as colas
and lemonades, are also very acidic and hence have significant erosive
potential. Foods such as fresh fruits, ketchup and pickled food in vinegar have
been implicated in causing acid erosion

Intrinsic dental erosion, also known as perimolysis, is the process whereby

gastric acid from the stomach comes into contact with the teeth. This is often
secondary to conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa,
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and rumination syndrome. Dental
erosion can also occur by non-extrinsic factors. There is evidence linking eating
disorders with a range of oral health problems including dental erosion, caries
and xerostomia. Reduced salivary flow rate, a common symptom of bulimia,
predisposes an individual to dental erosion due to increased vulnerability to the
effects of acidic food and drinks. Self-induced vomiting increases the risk of
dental erosion by a factor of 5.5 compared to healthy controls. Lesions are
most commonly found on

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the palatal surfaces of the teeth, followed by the occlusal and then the buccal
surfaces. The main cause of GERD is increased acid production by the
stomach. This is not exclusive to adults, as GERD and other gastrointestinal
disorders may cause dental erosions in children.

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 CAUSE OF DENTAL EROSION
Major causes are as follows;

 Stomach acids
 Diet
Stomach acids

The stomach contains many strong acids that are used to digest food. Vomiting
and reflux can cause these stomach acids to enter your mouth.

Stomach acids are very strong and can cause substantial damage to the
teeth. For example, people with bulimia, morning sickness or reflux
(which can sometimes occur without you knowing) may experience this
problem

Diet

Many things that we eat and drink are acidic. One of the reasons for this is that
acidic things taste nice. Common foods and drinks that contain high levels of
acid include:

 soft drinks (including sugar-free)

 energy drinks
 citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges)
 lemon-flavored drinks or teas
 fruit-flavored lollies
 fruit juices
 vitamin waters
 vitamin C tablets
 vinegar
 alcoholic drinks

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Food acids are often added to processed foods and drinks. If you check the
ingredient list of foods and drinks, you can see if food acids have been added.
The ingredients are listed in order of their amount in the food, with the most
being listed first. The closer any food acids are to the start of the list, the more
acid the product will have in it.

In particular, watch out for food acids 330 (citric acid), 331 (sodium citrate),
and 338 (phosphoric acid) which are especially bad for teeth. For further
information speak to your dental professional.

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 SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL EROSION
One sign of dental erosion is the loss of the surface of the tooth, leading to a
smooth, shiny appearance. Dental erosion can also make any exposed tooth root
(dentine) sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.

When there is advanced dental erosion, the enamel may wear away to reveal the
underlying dentine; these areas look yellow on the tooth surface (see photo).
Fillings may start to become more prominent if the surrounding tooth surface is
dissolving away due to erosion.

Dental erosion, if untreated, can lead to the progressive loss of the surface of the
tooth. The loss of tooth structure can require complex and lengthy dental
treatment involving fillings, veneers, and crowns and potentially root canal
treatment.

When the signs of dental erosion are detected, it is very important to determine the
cause and modify it.

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 HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL EROSION
1. Have acidic food and drinks, and fizzy drinks, sodas and pops, just at
mealtimes. This will reduce the number of acid attacks on your teeth.
2. Consume acidic beverages quickly. Try to avoid sipping on a bottle of soda
for hours at a time. It’s much better for your teeth if you drink the whole
bottle at once and then let your saliva remove the acid naturally.
3. Finish a meal with cheese or milk as this will help cancel out the acid.
4. Wait for at least one hour after eating or drinking anything acidic before
brushing your teeth. Acidic foods can temporarily weaken the enamel, and
vigorous brushing of weakened enamel can damage it even more. So it’s
better to rinse with water and wait a little while before brushing ,this gives
your teeth time to build up their mineral content again
5. Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the
day, with fluoride toothpaste. Use a small-headed brush with medium to
soft bristles.
6. Children up to three years old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level
of at least 1000ppm (parts per million). Three-year- olds to adults should
use toothpaste that contains 1350ppm to 1500ppm.
7. Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, so that the fluoride stays on our
teeth longer

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 8. Chew sugar-free gum after eating. This will help produce more saliva to
help cancel out the acids which form in our mouth after eating.
9. Chew sugar-free gum. Saliva is a powerful protective mechanism that
can help prevent tooth erosion. If we chew sugarless gum after an acidic
meal, our mouth will produce more saliva, which in turn protects our
teeth.
10. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
11. Drink fluoridated tap water rather than soft drink or juice.
12. Eat fruit rather than drinking fruit juice.
13. Eat fruit at meal times rather than between meals.
14. Reduce how often you eat or drink anything acidic and don’t leave it
sitting in your mouth for too long.
15. Seek medical treatment for management of reflux or vomiting.
16. Do not chew vitamin C tablets. If necessary, take vitamin C
supplements that are swallowed whole.
17. Use sugar-free chewing gum after meals to promote saliva flow. Saliva
is very important for protecting your teeth from erosion.
18. Consider using dental products containing ‘stannous fluoride’ [tin (II)
fluoride]. Recent studies suggest stannous fluoride is effective in
reducing tooth erosion.

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 CONCLUSTION

In summary, acid does affect the decay of teeth. The more acid there is in the
solution, the greater is the amount of decay. The greatest destruction occurs
when the pH level drops below 4. Fluoride definitely helps in reversing or
minimizing the damaging effect of tooth decay

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/how-does-acid-affect-
teeth-class-10-chemistry-cbse
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_ erosion
3. https://darlinghurstdental.com.au/dental-erosion-acid-
wear-damaging-teeth-from-dietary-
4. acid-or-stomach-acid/
5. https://csef.usc.edu/History/2009/Projects/J0526. pdf
6. 605b64d65e8d873dc445d7ce

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