Thank you very much, wombat!

I read a link some days ago that contained a lot of interesting information as to the relationship between sugars (natural and unnatural), bacteria, low saliva pH, etc., and shall post it a little later once I track down the page.

It seems that the bacteria in the mouth react with sugars, forming a coating on the teeth, which of course greatly affects saliva pH, which in turn results in an inability to neutralise harmful acids (lemon juice for instance). Strong acids and sugars demineralise tooth enamel, and due to the resulting low saliva pH nutrients cannot be transferred to the enamel, thus resulting in a very hasty deterioration of the enamel coating. Apparently the enamel is not directly connected to the blood supply, so its state relies entirely on the minerals/sugars/acids in the saliva. (And if the saliva pH is low, "alkalising" drinks can cause havoc - the saliva being unable to negate the effects of the acid, and unable to re-mineralise anywhere near as quickly as the acids demineralise.)

Well, all very interesting of course, and makes a mockery of the entire "fruit Sugar cannot harm your teeth" idiom. I also found it interesting that the old experiments carried out by authors and dentists involved extracted teeth placed in solution. Extracted (dead) teeth in solution would not attract the same bacteria, and could not undergo the same chemical reactions as found when bacteria, acid, sugar, and saliva mix.

My front teeth are a mess, but at least we all know how and why these things occur, and thus we can take steps to avoid them and, if need be, reverse the damage entirely.