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Alkaline substances can damage teeth

Acids are known to erode tooth enamel but a new study shows that strong alkaline substances too can damage teeth, say researchers.

The study was carried out by researchers from the department of occupational and environmental medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden.

”The study shows that exposure to alkaline substances can result in damaged teeth, but that the process is different to that caused by exposure to acidic drinks or acidic industrial vapours,” says Fabian Taube, occupational hygienist at Sahlgrenska and study author.

It was occupational injuries from reconditioning of cars that attracted the attention of researchers.

The common denominator was exposure to an alkaline degreaser that was sprayed onto various parts of the cars. The spray turned out to have a pH value between 12 and 14, which is very alkaline.

”Exposure to this substance damaged the surface of the teeth resulting in “flaked” enamel,” says Jorgen Noren, professor and senior dental officer at the Sahlgrenska Academy. “This type of damage markedly increases the risk of dental damage.”

Alkaline degreasers are used in the food industry, among other things to clean professional kitchens, but are also common in the car industry and are also used to remove vandalism painting.

”Occupational damage to teeth from exposure to alkaline substances is probably not as common as damage from acidic substances, but it becomes a problem when employers fail to inform employees of the risks or do not give them access to the right protective equipment,” says Taube.

Tooth enamel, the body’s hardest tissue, forms a layer over the teeth that is up to two mm thick. Just two percent of the enamel is organic material, with the rest comprising various minerals and water, a Sahlgrenska release said.