It is important to notice signs of enamel erosion early to take preventative measures. Treating issues early on helps to prevent them from becoming severe issues. Tooth enamel is an important part of dental health; issues with it can affect the functioning and appearance of the teeth.
For serious cases of enamel erosion, your dentist may suggest placing dental crowns in Grande Prairie over the enamel-affected teeth. Dental crowns are like caps that cover the tooth and help to protect and restore the appearance of teeth.
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What is Tooth Enamel and Why is it Important?
Tooth enamel is the hard, outermost layer of your teeth and is the hardest substance in the human body, even tougher than bone. Composed primarily of minerals, enamel plays several important roles in maintaining dental health. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Less tooth sensitivity: Enamel protects the inner, softer parts of the tooth, helping to reduce sensitivity to hot or cold foods.
- Allows proper biting and chewing: It provides the required hardness to the teeth to chew and bite food properly.
- Maintains structure of teeth: Enamel helps to maintain the shape and structure of your teeth; this is crucial for proper biting and oral functions.
- Cavity protection: It shields the inner parts of the tooth from bacteria, helping to prevent tooth decay.
How is Tooth Enamel Structured?
Tooth enamel consists of tightly packed crystals of a mineral called hydroxyapatite. This crystal-like structure makes enamel incredibly strong and durable. However, because enamel lacks living cells, it cannot repair itself once damaged. Therefore, it is essential to take good care of your enamel to protect your teeth from erosion.
What Causes Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Many factors can lead to enamel erosion, which are:
- Acidic foods and drinks: Foods that are acidic, like citrus fruits, soft drinks, and sour candies, easily wear your enamel down after some time.
- Sugary food and drinks: Sugar can lead to an increase in harmful bacterial growth in the mouth. Such bacteria may produce acids that could erode your enamel.
- Dry mouth: If you have a dry mouth, you’re at a higher risk for enamel erosion. A moist mouth, on the other hand, produces more saliva, which helps protect enamel from food particles and neutralizes acids.
- Brushing Too Hard: The hard-bristled toothbrush can affect your enamel.
- Acid reflux: Stomach acid that comes up into the mouth can impact the enamel on your teeth.
- Grinding your teeth: This is also called bruxism; it involves grinding or clenching your teeth together. Grinding mostly happens at night and often it can affect your enamel.
What are the Symptoms of Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Knowing different symptoms can help you take preventive measures early on before they become complicated. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Sensitivity: Teeth might be sensitive to hot and cold foods and it might be a sign that enamel has eroded.
- Discoloration: Enamel wears away, and the yellow dentin below may become more visible. Thus, it gives your teeth a yellow appearance.
- Rounded teeth: The edges of your teeth become rounded or smooth in appearance.
- Cracks and chips: Your teeth may easily crack and chip because of enamel erosion.
- Cupping: Enamel erosion may lead to small dents or pits in the chewing surfaces of teeth.
What are the Stages of Enamel Decay?
The overall processes of enamel decay are as follows:
- Early stage: You may have very minor sensitivity and slight discoloration at the early stage. The enamel is starting to wear away, but the damage can still be addressed.
- Moderate stage: At this, the enamel has worn down a little more. You might be experiencing more sensitivity, discoloration and small chips or cracks that are additional signs of enamel decay.
- Advanced stage: The enamel will become significantly worn down, and the dentin below will be visible. In this stage, teeth might become prone to chipping or cracking, discoloring teeth and there is a high chance of cavity development.
How is Tooth Enamel Erosion Treated?
Tooth enamel erosion, also known as dental erosion, is treated in different ways, including:
- Fluoride treatments: Fluoride can be applied to your enamel to strengthen it and make it more resistant to erosion.
- Dental bonding: This is a process where a tooth-coloured resin is applied to the teeth, covering up the damaged areas and filling gaps to prevent further erosion.
- Crowns: In severe cases of enamel erosion, your dentist may suggest a dental crown. As it would cover and shield your tooth and prevent further damage.
- Veneers: It is a thin shell that is applied on the front of the teeth to restore appearance. Veneers protect the teeth from further erosion.
How Can Tooth Enamel Loss be Prevented?
Preventing enamel erosion is important to ensure that your teeth remain healthy. Here are some tips for preventing enamel loss:
- Avoid intake of acidic and sugary foods and drinks: When you consume acidic and sugary food and drinks rinse your mouth after having them. Rinsing the mouth helps to clean food particles which can cause dental erosion.
- Drink plenty of water: Water washes away food particles and acids in the mouth.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush: Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush recommended by a dentist. Brush your teeth with the right technique to avoid enamel erosion.
- Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum helps to increase saliva production in the mouth. Which will help to protect your enamel and maintain dental health in optimal condition.
- Use a mouthguard: A mouthguard can protect your enamel if you grind your teeth during the night.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Regular dental check-ups allow early detection of enamel erosion and thus prevent it.
Tooth enamel is a vital part of optimal dental health. Being able to recognize the signs of tooth enamel erosion can help to take preventive measures early. Furthermore, take care of your teeth by following good dental practices and regular visits to the dentist.
Choose Gateway Dentistry Group For Your Dental Care
Gateway Dentistry Group offers multiple services that meet all your dental needs. We have a team of experienced dentist in Grande Prairie who ensure to give you effective treatment. Our team ensures that you have a positive experience, which is why they make sure you are comfortable and relaxed during your visit to the dental clinic. Schedule an appointment for optimum dental health today!
