Alkaline substances can damage teeth
Many people know that acids can harm tooth enamel but research is now suggesting that alkalines can damage teeth too.
Scientists from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have discovered that matters with high alkaline levels can devastate parts of a tooth’s organic content, which increases the vulnerablity of the enamel.
Fabian Taube, researcher, said that study revealed alkaline substances can harm teeth. He added that damage is caused by alkalines in a different way to acids.
Researchers noticed that many workers who were reconditioning of cars had damaged, flaked tooth enamel and wanted to discover the reasons why.
They realised that the common denominator was an alkaline degreaser that was sprayed onto the cars, it was found that they spray had a very high alkaline ph level.
Jörgen Norén, senior dentist at the university, said that the damaging effects of alkaline substances markedly increased the risk of dental injury.
Alkaline degreasers are frequently used in many industrial sectors, including the food industry, the car industry and decorating industries.
Taube said that while occupational oral damage from alkaline is less common than damage caused by acidic substances, it can be a problem.
He said employers had a duty to inform their staff of the potential dangers of working with these substances and added that they should provide the protective equipment.
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