Your teeth are busy chewing and biting each day, so it makes sense that they would wear down, right? Thankfully, your body has a way to protect them, in the form of tooth enamel.
What is Tooth Enamel?
It’s a thin yet hard protective layer that covers the surface of each tooth. Enamel is naturally a bluish, greyish, or yellowish white color, but it can become stained by substances like as coffee, berries and cigarettes. It can also erode if not properly cared for, which makes them more susceptible to staining.
What is Tooth Enamel for?
Enamel’s main purpose is to prevent your teeth from becoming worn down by actions like chewing or crunching food. It also protects your teeth from extreme hot or cold temperatures, or chemicals that could be painful.
Tooth Enamel Problems
Tooth enamel is a tough substance, but it can erode or even crack. Several things can cause enamel erosion, including drinking too much soda or fruit drinks on a regular basis, eating a lot of acidic, starchy, or sugary foods, and taking certain medications, such as antihistamines and aspirin. Other causes of dental enamel erosion include:
- Dry mouth or low saliva production
- Excessive bacteria in the mouth
- Bad oral habits like chewing on ice or a pen cap
- Acid reflux disease
- Bruxism (grinding your teeth)
- Brushing your teeth roughly and not flossing the right away
If you notice increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, a yellowish appearance, chips, indentations, or cracks in your teeth, you may have enamel erosion. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to have a dentist take a look at your teeth to prevent tooth decay and other serious problems.
Caring for Tooth Enamel
Now that you have a better understanding of what tooth enamel is and why it’s important, you’ll want to take steps to prevent problems. You can significantly reduce the risk of enamel erosion by drinking more water each day, avoiding acidic foods, using a straw if you do drink acidic beverages, brushing and gently and thoroughly, and using toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Treating Tooth Enamel Problems
If you have a tooth enamel problem, My Family Dentistry can offer a few different solutions. These treatments for tooth enamel can range from dental bonding to having a crown placed on the affected tooth. The right treatment for you depends on how severe your enamel erosion is and what’s causing it, and we’ll be happy to work with you to find the best treatment plan for you.
Do you have enamel erosion? Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!
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