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 J