High-Phytolith Plants Cause More Enamel Abrasion

Tooth enamel is abraded more rapidly when plants with a higher phytolith content such as grass are consumed rather than those with a low phytolith content such as alfalfa. Phytoliths are microscopic mineral inclusions made of silica dioxide that are present in many plants. Although phytoliths are softer than enamel, scientists have been uncertain whether tooth abrasion is mainly caused by phytoliths within the plants or mineral particles and sand adhering to the surface of the plants. T...

from A via a.sfakia on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2RJaasJ