Your teeth\u2019s enamel, the thin outer covering, is your first line of defence against tooth erosion. This translucent barrier helps protect from daily chewing, crunching, grinding, as well as changes in temperature or acidic chemicals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Protecting those pearly whites is hard work so your enamel is prone to wear and tear. We refer to this damage as enamel erosion or tooth erosion (not to be confused with tooth decay). It affects the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, but more importantly, can cause significant dental complications. To avoid these complications, it\u2019s essential to know the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention methods for tooth erosion.<\/span><\/p>\n
Tooth Erosion Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n
The signs of tooth erosion vary depending on the stage. A dentist will likely notice the first signs of erosion. Typically the back surfaces of your front teeth are the first to be affected. Your dentist may observe a light yellow patch on a tooth where enamel has dissolved and exposed the dentine underneath.<\/span><\/p>\n
Symptoms you may notice include (but aren\u2019t limited to):<\/span><\/p>\n
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- Sensitivity to temperatures or sweets<\/span><\/li>\n
- Yellowish discoloration<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cracked or chipped teeth<\/span><\/li>\n
- \u201cCupping\u201d (indentations on your teeth\u2019s surface)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Grooves on your teeth\u2019s surface<\/span><\/li>\n
- Teeth appearing more rounded, especially your canines and incisors.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Shiny or see-through spots on teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Causes of Tooth Erosion<\/b><\/h2>\n
While tooth erosion may be slightly hereditary, and<\/span> baby\u2019s teeth<\/span><\/a> can be affected by a mother\u2019s nutritional habits, most cases of tooth erosion are a result of lifestyle choices. You get tooth erosion when acid wears away the enamel on your teeth. Your mouth can become overly acidic for a variety of reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tDue for a checkup?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFind a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople with acid reflux, intense morning sickness, and gastrointestinal problems have more acidic mouths. Any time you vomit, acid rises into your mouth and erodes tooth enamel. The eating disorder bulimia as well as alcoholism both involve frequent vomiting and can cause tooth erosion. One study shows that<\/span> 92% of 37 patients<\/span><\/a> who suffered from alcoholism had dental erosion.<\/span><\/p>\n
Juices and sodas are very acidic and usually have a pH value between 2.0 to 3.5. Frequent consumption increases your risk of dental erosion, especially soda which is about<\/span> ten times worse<\/span><\/a> for tooth enamel compared to fruit juice. When you reach for that sports drink, keep in mind that even though the flavour might not seem overly sweet, they beverage is also acidic. Sadly, wine is also a tooth erosion culprit. Cheers?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Sugar and other harmful ingredients<\/b><\/p>\n
Although sugar alone isn\u2019t highly acidic, it encourages the growth of acid-creating bacteria in your mouth, and shouldn\u2019t be eaten too often. A considerable amount of candy is marketed to kids and teens, so it should come as no surprise that in a study of 900 middle school students, around<\/span> 30% showed signs of dental erosion<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
Other studies show up to<\/span> 41% of kids<\/span><\/a> in the United States, between ages 11-13, have enamel erosion. For foods, check labels to see if food acids have been added. Watch out for food acids 330 (citric acid), 331 (sodium citrate), and 338 (phosphoric acid) in particular.<\/span><\/p>\n
Grinding and physical force<\/b><\/p>\n
Tooth Erosion Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n
To diagnose tooth erosion you\u2019ll need to book an appointment with your dentist. Before deciding on a treatment, your dentist will determine the following:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Are there signs of regurgitation or reflux?<\/span><\/li>\n
- Has the patient reported ingesting acidic foods or drinks?<\/span><\/li>\n
- How severe is the erosion?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Disease treatment<\/b><\/p>\n
If you suffer from bulimia or alcoholism, it may be uncomfortable to mention this to your dentist. However, knowing the cause of your tooth erosion is useful information that can inform treatment decisions. So if you can, be honest. According to the National Eating Disorder Association,<\/span> 89% of people with bulimia<\/span><\/a> show signs of the disease in their mouths. Dentists are instructed to be non-judgmental when discussing eating disorder concerns and should you need it, some dentists can recommend therapists. Either way, your dentist can teach you how to reduce the adverse oral effects of purging.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tDue for a checkup?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFind a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOther treatments include tooth bonding which uses a tooth-colored composite resin, to protect eroded teeth and improve the cosmetic appearance. For severe enamel erosion, a dentist might cover a tooth with a crown or veneer to protect it from further decay.<\/span> One study<\/span><\/a> that used ultra-thin occlusal veneers for erosion treatment found that it completely rehabilitated mouths. But, as always, prevention is the best treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n
Tooth Erosion Prevention<\/b><\/h2>\n
Fluoride is your friend<\/b><\/p>\n
There are many ways you can prevent enamel loss. In addition to standard methods for keeping your teeth healthy, such as brushing and flossing, make sure to incorporate fluoride into your routine. Fluoride strengthens your teeth. Most kinds of toothpastes include fluoride and it can also be found in some mouthwashes and supplements. Tap water often contains fluoride as well.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Just remember that it is possible to get too much fluoride. If you ingest excess fluoride, you can develop enamel fluorosis. With this disorder, your teeth become discolored and sometimes damaged. To avoid dental fluorosis, make sure not to swallow fluoride toothpaste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Got calcium?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
When your teeth are exposed to acid, it leaches calcium from your enamel. Increasing your calcium intake can help you build strong teeth that are less susceptible to erosion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Sip through straws<\/b><\/p>\n
Another way to help prevent tooth erosion is to use straws when you drink acidic drinks. Straws allow the liquid to surpass your teeth and go straight to your throat. There are many alternatives to plastic straws for people who worry about the environmental impact.<\/span><\/p>\n
Chew sugar-free gum<\/b><\/p>\n\n
Even with straws, it\u2019s recommended to reduce the amount of acidic foods and beverages in your diet and rinse your mouth with water afterward. Chewing sugar-free gum between meals can boost<\/span> your saliva production levels<\/span><\/a> up to ten times your normal flow and can also remove up to<\/span> 95% of residual food debris<\/span><\/a> in just a few minutes. Try to get gum containing xylitol, which has been shown to reduce acids. Drinking extra water throughout the day, especially if your mouth is dry, can also increase saliva levels.<\/span><\/p>\n
See you dentist\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Ready to Get Your Teeth Checked?<\/b><\/h2>\n
You need a dentist you trust to check your teeth for signs of erosion. If you\u2019re looking for a highly qualified dentist, who is a great fit for your personality, sign up for<\/span> Opencare<\/span><\/a> today and find your match.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t
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