The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Dan (Redford, Mi) on 05/10/2010
If I mix cider vinegar with water and drink small amounts during the day, wouldn't that slowly remove my tooth enamel after a few years?
Replied by Siobhan
(Fairbanks, Alaska)
10/23/2010
Replied by Meenu
(Vancouver, Bc Canada)
10/25/2010
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Jordan (Houston, Tx) on 12/10/2009
Question, as ACV is acidic, would it be a bad idea to put some in coffee? Coffee i know, is acidic..so I was just wondering what it would do. I dont want it to ruin my teeth by having too much acid or any other part in my body.
Replied by Dott
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Usa)
12/13/2009
Replied by Elysa
(A, Tx)
12/02/2011
Replied by Halfy
(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
02/07/2012
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Giglez2u (Morrill, Ne, United States) on 09/30/2009
Here's the thing, I've recently adopted the acv ritual of 3tbsp acv, 16oz. glass water, 2 sometimes 3x's day. I like the taste of it, no necessary sodas or honey to add, and I find that I crave it throughout the day. I AM concerned however, about tooth sensitivity to it. I've not experienced it but have read previous posts that problems with sensitivity and softening of the enamal occurs. Is that true? Am I going to have to stop? I will admit, I am completely obsessed about my teeth and my dentist is on my speed dial! lol, Can't help it, I love to keep my smile looking its best. So, should I cut back or not worry? I've used a straw, but honestly, I don't think that works. Contact w/ teeth isn't minimal to me. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Veronica (South Connellsville, Pa) on 10/14/2008
★★★★★
I began drinking the Apple Cider Vinegar several days ago. I LOVE how I feel from taking it but my only concern was my tooth enamel since I have read so many 'warnings' on postings, articles and advice pages.
I am using a recipe that I took from this site: Green Tea with Mandarin Orange, 1 Tbsp ACV, 1 Tbsp Honey, 7 drops of concentrated Lemon Juice and 7 drops of concentrated Lime juice (steeping tea bag until desired strength is reached) ... 3 times per day.
I am getting my friend started on it and she happened to have a dentist appointment today and so she asked him about it. She told him exactly what we are drinking and he said that the amount that we are drinking won't damage our teeth any more than the sodas we drink. He said that since we are diluting it, he didn't feel that we had any problems. He suggested rinsing the mouth within 20 minutes of drinking but NEVER brushing right away because brushing after eating or drinking anything that has a lot of acid WILL DAMAGE THE TEETH. That doesn't just apply to ACV but ANYTHING that falls into this category.
Then the dentist asked "May I ask WHY you are drinking ACV?" ... so she got to share that her crazy friend is insisting that she is going to feel better after drinking it. I can't wait to prove I'm right!!! ha ha
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Hope (Inverness, FL) on 06/10/2008
Hi. I absolutely LOVE the benefits of apple cider vinegar. However, I must warn people about drinking it straight. You must use a straw. I have been drinking it for about a year and my teeth are starting to wear down. I even have a hole in my front bottom tooth. Really weird. The dentist told me it was from Apple Cider Vinegar. So please use a straw if you drink it!
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Chris (Seattle, Washington) on 03/07/2008
★★★★★
I have employed gel tabs to avoid unpleasant flavors with liquid or oil treatments. In the context of ACV, this could avoid dental enamel erosion. When you fill them with liquids, you want to consume them quickly because they will begin dissolving immediately. I have found vegetarian gel tabs readily available.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Cindy (Sterling, CO) on 12/12/2007
★★★★★
I have a small glass of about 1/4 tsp baking soda mixed with water ready, then I take 2 Tblsp ACV straight. After taking ACV, I swish with water, then swish with baking soda & water mixture & spit it out to clean all ACV out of my mouth to protect teeth. ACV has really helped digestion and constipation.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Natalie (Decatur, GA, USA) on 11/20/2007
★★★★★
... all of the acidic foods (Lemons, Tomato, Vinegar, ANY Citrus) are very bad for your teeth IF you brush within 30 minutes of eating or drinking them!! Doing so literally eats the natural enamel off of your teeth. My Dentist scolded me about this!!! So, Brush before you ingest.:) Then, Drink lots of water and make sure to swish around your teeth.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Merry (Coon Rapids, Minnesota) on 10/09/2007
★★★★★
I have a suggestion that should remedy the problem with ACV possibly damaging tooth enamel over time. Use a straw when sipping your ACV remedies. This wil drastically cut down on the amount of acid contact with teeth.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Tom (Lansford, PA) on 08/29/2007
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar: I have been taking it for years. I read about it long ago and have been taking two tblsp every day along with other things... fish oil etc I love the taste and don't mix it. I'm 68 and have all my teeth so I don't think that's a problem.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Nathan (Portland, OR) on 03/22/2007
★★★★★
Let me add to Dr. Yong's comments regarding tooth enamel (and point out why William Campbell Douglas was misinformed). Acid damages tooth enamel. Pathogenic bacteria in the mouth produce acid as a byproduct when they consume sugar. So when you drink ACV, you expose your teeth to acid. When you eat products with high sugar content, the bacteria produce acid. Neither of these situations is necessarily deleterious to the tooth enamel if the exposure to the acid is over a short period of time. Saliva is able to cleanse the mouth, and the pH returns to normal. However, if you sip the ACV over a long period of time during the day, the pH of the mouth is unable to recover, and as a result of constant prolonged exposure, dental decay results.
The same amount of ACV ingested over a period of a few minutes will typically cause no problems. Yes, we eat/drink acidic/sugary foods all the time (as the MD mentioned) but these are the things that cause decay especially if sipped or ingested in large quantities over long periods of time. Try to consume your ACV 3 times per day within a period of 5-10 minutes.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Perenchenco (Chicago) on 06/15/2006
★★★★★
Re: Dr. Yong's tooth enamel comment. Well intentioned, but almost certainly wrong. For one thing most of us have been eating salad dressings with vinegars for years. Also, certain natural health people have taken it for decades without losing enamel. Sugar, as honey or whatever, mixed with the ACV, may be the culprit. Also excessive brushing, according to many naturally oriented physicians (William Campbell Douglas, M.D.)
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Tom (Milford, NJ) on 05/27/2006
★★★★★
I took acv for years and experienced problems with my dental erosion. Also, other problems possibly relating to amalgam fillings. Stopped acv and now ok. I would encourage anyone considering acv to dilute and then follow w/ sodium bicarb.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Terri (Prospect, OR)
★★★★★
I just want to let you know that I agree with the dentist. I started drinking vinegar water 3 years ago all day long like you, and my teeth start going bad, since then I drink a glass in the morning as tea and then brush my teeth no more problems with my teeth.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Marco (Eindhoven, Netherlands)
★★★★★
I've read that eating a little bit of cheese afterwards will lower the acid level in your mouth. A high acid level is good for the ph balance of the body but not so good for your teeth.
