Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, which is why it’s so important to take care of it! Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body that offers a thin covering on the outside of your teeth. This layer protects your teeth from chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding — helping to prevent chipping and cracking.
Because tooth enamel doesn’t contain any living cells, it doesn’t regenerate on its own. This means that once your enamel is gone, there isn’t a way to get it back without a professional’s help. Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize enamel erosion and strengthen the enamel you do have. Bridge Creek Dental is here to walk you through the causes of tooth enamel erosion and measures you can take to strengthen it.
What Is Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Over time, acids and other environmental factors can slowly wear away at the enamel on your teeth. While some enamel erosion is normal throughout the years, too much deterioration can lead to oral hygiene problems since the body does not have living cells that regenerate it. This means that erosion and damage to your enamel won’t regenerate naturally and can only be restored with the assistance of a dentist.
To minimize the risk of tooth enamel erosion, it’s important to understand what causes it so you can avoid losing your teeth’s natural protection. While enamel erosion can happen due to genetic factors, certain substances and scenarios can weaken enamel. But that also means you can help minimize enamel erosion by being aware of these factors that can damage your enamel.
Different Types Of Enamel Erosion
Acid Erosion
If you eat or drink highly acidic foods, it can lead to enamel erosion. While these substances in moderation won’t cause too much damage, constant exposure can be quite damaging. Be mindful of the following substances that are acidic — some may surprise you:
- Soda, which contains high amounts of sugar, citric acid, and phosphoric acid
- Foods high in starch and sugar, such as white bread and syrup
- Juice and fruity beverages that are high in sugar and highly acid
- Medications such as antihistamines and aspirin
Environmental Erosion
Although enamel erosion commonly occurs because of highly acidic foods and drinks, it can also occur due to environmental factors or personal habits such as:
- Acid reflux
- Grinding teeth
- Dry mouth
- Improper brushing of teeth
- Lack of flossing
- Low saliva production
- Plaque buildup
- Bad oral hygiene
How to Restore Damaged Tooth Enamel
Although you can rebuild enamel once it is gone, there are methods you can follow to strengthen and protect the enamel you do have.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help protect your teeth. Adding a fluoride rinse or toothpaste with fluoride to your oral hygiene routine will help form a natural barrier over your current tooth enamel. Using fluoride is an ideal way to prevent your teeth from any additional erosion damage.
Remineralization
If you’re suffering from enamel erosion, your dentist can provide you with a calcium treatment called remineralization that will target the places where your enamel has weakened and make them stronger. While you won’t grow new enamel from remineralization, it will strengthen your teeth and protect them from further damage.
Bruxism
A major cause of enamel erosion is bruxism, otherwise known as grinding of your teeth throughout the night. This constant pressure on your jaw and teeth can weaken your enamel and eventually wear it down over time. If you grind your teeth, it’s a great idea to begin wearing a bite guard while you sleep to prevent damage from grinding your teeth.
Oral Hygiene
This may seem like a no-brainer, but practicing good oral hygiene is one of the best things you can do to prevent further breakdown of tooth enamel. Plaque buildup can speed up the process of enamel erosion, so consider flossing daily, rinsing with fluoride, and thoroughly brushing for two minutes.
Call Dr. Taylor for Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings Montana
If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of your smile and strengthen your teeth, Dr. Taylor and his staff can help you determine the best course of action. Contact our team to schedule a complimentary smile design consultation, during which you can sit down with Dr. Taylor and have him answer any questions you might have.