The teeth is highly protected by its outer covering known as the enamel. The enamel is very tough, it covers and protect the soft inner layers of the teeth. Although, the teeth enamel is among the hardest substances in the body, but it can be damaged if exposed to erosive agents such as acids. The wear and tear of the teeth enamel due to the attack from teeth erosive agents is known as teeth erosion.
So many people out there have cases of tooth erosion because of not taking proper care of their teeth. When you don’t take proper care of your teeth, some of your teeth may start to erode. Tooth erosion can result to different problems and discomforts. Tooth discoloration is the among the early signs of tooth erosion. You may also experience other serious dental issues such as: teeth sensitivity, toothache, cracked teeth and cavities.
However, there are remedies and preventive measures you can take to prevent frequent occurrence of erosive challenges. Although, you can’t make your eroded tooth enamel to grow back. But you can prevent the erosion from getting worse with dental treatment and by practicing good oral hygiene. So, before the end of this article you’ll get to know the early signs of tooth erosion and also how you can prevent further erosion on your teeth with fluoride dentifrice and by addressing caries.
Signs of tooth erosion
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There are certain signs that you may notice if your teeth are experiencing dental erosion or tooth enamel erosion. You will experience some pain and discomfort when your teeth starts to lose their outer covering due to erosive tooth wear or enamel loss. But the symptoms may vary depending on how severe your teeth have eroded. Some of the signs includes
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Teeth discoloration: the tooth enamel is white in color, while the inner layer is yellow in color. Yellow teeth is a sign that the white enamel covering your teeth is going away.
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Tooth decay: this occurs when the inner layer of your teeth are exposed to harmful oral bacteria.
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Teeth sensitivity: you may start to experience pain and discomfort when you eat hot, sweet or cold foods and drinks.
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Rough uneven edges on your teeth.
Can you repair an eroded teeth?
The eroded part of your teeth can not grow back, but there are ways to fix the damages. But this all depends on how serious your teeth have eroded. Your dentist can cover the affected parts of your teeth in order to avoid further damages to your teeth. There is no dental treatment that can make your teeth enamel to repair itself. This is because the enamel does not have any living cells to enable it to grow back. But there are ways you can prevent the damages from becoming worse.
If you have experienced erosive tooth wear and enamel erosion, your dentist may need to cover your affected teeth with dental crowns to protect them. This is particularly important if you are at a higher risk of enamel erosion and would benefit from the additional fluoride protection provided by the crowns.
Ways to prevent tooth erosion
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Take less acidic drinks: excessive consumption of acidic foods or drinks can erode your tooth enamel. Some drinks such as sodas, citrus fruits juices and wine have high content of erosive acids. Taking such drinks more often can lead to the destruction of your teeth enamel. You should always ensure that you rinse your mouth with clean water after taking any acidic food or drink. These can help to neutralize the acids in order to avoid tooth erosion.
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Take enough water: instead of carbonated drinks, you should replace them with water instead. Water fights against acid attacks and also helps to strengthen tooth enamel. If you have dry mouth, water can help to restore the normal flow of saliva in your mouth. Having enough moisture and saliva in your mouth all the time, can help to prevent acid attacks. It maintains a healthy oral pH balance and also clears away food particles from the teeth.
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Use the right toothbrush: instead of using hard-bristled toothbrush, you should replace it with soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard toothbrush and aggressive brushing technique clears away more than dirt from your teeth. They can wear down your teeth enamel and also lead to injuries to your gums. You should try to practice gentle brushing technique and also avoid the use of hard-bristled toothbrush.
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Eat healthy foods: nutrients and minerals such as calcium and vitamins are essential in maintaining healthy gums, bones and teeth. Not getting enough tooth-healthy nutrients can make your teeth to be more susceptible to erosion. Calcium is great for your teeth, it’s a good tooth enamel protector. You should try to add at least one calcium rich food in your daily meal. Dairy products are good source of calcium, ensure that your family takes them. Alternatively, you can try other calcium rich sources such as: almond milk, canned fish, kale, soy yogurt or soy beans. (1)
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Chew sugar-free gum: if you are the type that love chewing gums, you should try sugar-free gums. Sugary gums can lead to tooth decay and tooth erosion. Instead of lowering the amount of erosive acids in the mouth, sugary gums can encourage it. The sugar in sugary gums can easily lead to plaque buildups and bacteria accumulation. Most of the sugar-free gums available in the market, contains essential ingredients that fights against acid attacks. The use of such sugar-free gums can help to prevent tooth erosion, by lowering the amount of erosive acids in your mouth. It encourages salivary flow and also remineralizes the teeth.
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Use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash: acid attacks on the teeth enamel results to teeth demineralization. Toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth enamel through a process known as remineralization. It helps to prevent further damages to the teeth, by restoring most of the lost minerals to your teeth. When choosing your fluoridated toothpaste or mouthwash, make sure that it is ADA approved. You can contact your dentist if you are not so sure on the one to buy, he can recommend for you.
Final Thoughts
Wearing down of the teeth is often caused by constant acid attacks. To prevent this, it is important to reduce consumption of foods and drinks that produce acids. Sugary and acidic foods and drinks are common sources of tooth erosion. If you do consume these, remember to thoroughly rinse your mouth afterwards.
Brushing and flossing regularly can help to prevent acid attacks. It’s also very effective for preventing acid buildup, tooth erosion, teeth sensitivity and cavities. It clears away plaque and harmful bacteria, reducing acid buildups to the lowest minimum.
This is just a few of the things that I mentioned in this article about dental erosion, enamel erosion, and erosive tooth wear. You can go through the article once again to learn more. If you have any questions about dental erosion, enamel erosion, or erosive tooth wear, please let me know by using the comments box below.
Richard Smith is a Registered Nutritionist and also a Health Speaker. Richard Smith graduated from The City University of New York. You can learn more about him by Visiting His LinkedIn Page or Follow him on Twitter.
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