TOOTH ENAMEL EROSION – A SILENT ENEMY
Just above the gum line, the thin layer that covers the portion of your tooth is actually tooth enamel. It’s vulnerable to different types of wear, though it happens to be one of the toughest tissues in human body. One of those is the threat of erosion.
Roots of the problem
The most common reason why erosion takes roots in the enamel is acid wear. It’s not just acidic food that lets erosion take roots but even sugary food can be the cause of this problem. The pH level drops since the bacteria produce acids in your mouth as they consume sugar. There are other reasons such as gastrointestinal problems, acid reflux diseases, dry mouth and some medications that contribute to acid wear too.
When one grinds or clenches at night, that also puts wear on the teeth and it is normally witnessed on the lower biting portion of the teeth that makes the teeth look small and flattened.
How to avoid it
Enamel erosion can be prevented by practicing some simple rules. The first and foremost step is to cut down on highly sugary and acidic food in your diet. The number one thing that you should immediately consider quitting is sparkling carbonated drinks. Soda pops are not only acidic but they also contain a large amount of sugar in them that gets converted in to acid by the bacteria in your mouth. A straw must be used if you must consume a carbonated drink as that at least prevents direct exposure of your teeth to the acid.
Avoid brushing your teeth as much as you can immediately after consuming food that contains acids. The pH level in your mouth drops after you’ve consumed, as acids are being produced by the bacteria present in your mouth. In this acidic environment, the enamel becomes softer, and brushing your teeth before the pH level becomes normal may cause erosion. One should wait at least half an hour before brushing the teeth as the saliva in your mouth works the pH levels to get to normal. One should also wear something that stops clenching and grinding at night and that helps stopping erosion in its ranks.
How to treat erosion
There are various ways you can treat erosion and it depends on the level of erosion that takes place. For example a tooth color bonding can be placed over the area that has erosion and it prevents minimal erosion. The procedure for this only takes a short session and is normally carried out without anesthetics. But if the erosion persists and increases then there are several other methods that can be used such as veneers and crowns that make your smile return to normal.
Resins are used to repair teeth, and they are very strong but they are no match for natural enamel. So consult your local dentist for best advice and treatment.