Taking care of your smile is important because it’s one of your best features. However, did you know that the hardest part of your body, the enamel on your teeth, can wear away over time? This is called enamel loss, and it can make your teeth more sensitive, change their colour, or even cause cavities. At Kitchener Dentist Sherwood Dental, we know how important it is to protect your dentin so that your teeth stay strong and healthy for a long time. We’ll talk about the best ways to stop enamel loss in this blog, giving you expert tips and helpful information to help you keep your smile bright. Don’t forget that you can call us to make your next visit and take care of your dental health.

What is Enamel Erosion?

Definition and Explanation

The thin layer that covers the outside of your teeth is called enamel. It protects them from damage from food and acids. Even though enamel is very strong, it can still be broken. This is called enamel erosion, when acids eat away at this protective layer, making it thinner over time. Enamel doesn’t grow back like other cells in the body, so it’s gone for good once it’s gone. It is important to protect your enamel because this process can’t be stopped and can cause many tooth problems.

Common Causes of Enamel Erosion

Many factors can contribute to enamel loss, and several of them are related to the foods you eat and your lifestyle. Figuring out these reasons is the first step in preventing further damage.

Dietary Factors

The foods and drinks you drink have a significant effect on enamel loss. Acidic foods and drinks, like soda, citrus fruits, and some sweets, can wear down crowns over time. When these acids hit your teeth, they start to wear away the chemicals in the enamel, which is called erosion. Even healthy foods like oranges and peppers can wear away your enamel if you overeat them.

Lack of Oral Hygiene

Not taking care of your teeth properly can also cause enamel to wear away. Plaque is a film of germs that sticks to your teeth and produces acids that wear away enamel. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, plaque can build up and speed up the erosion process, which can cause bigger problems with your teeth in the future.

Medical Conditions

Some health conditions can increase the likelihood of enamel loss. For example, acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid comes back up into the mouth and wears away the teeth. In the same way, dry mouth, which happens when your mouth doesn’t make enough saliva, makes it harder for your mouth to balance acids, which makes enamel more likely to wear away.

The Best Ways to Prevent Enamel Erosion

Now that we’ve discussed what causes enamel loss let’s examine the best ways to prevent it. Performing these actions daily will help you keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

For your general health, a well-balanced diet is very important, and it also helps protect your enamel for stronger enamel that can handle acids better, eat nuts, leafy greens, and dairy products high in calcium and phosphate.

  • Avoid or Limit Acidic Foods and Drinks: You can’t completely stay away from acidic foods and drinks, but knowing how much you eat can make a big difference. Avoid drinking too many acidic drinks like pop, fruit juice, and others. If you decide to enjoy it, you might want to use a straw so the food doesn’t touch your teeth directly.
  • Pair Acidic Foods with Neutralizing Options: Consuming acidic foods with neutralizing options can help balance the acids and mitigate the damage they cause to your enamel. For instance, eating some fruit with some cheese can help protect you.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral care is the most important thing you can do for your dental health, and it’s especially important to stop enamel erosion. Brushing and flossing your teeth correctly can eliminate plaque and lower your risk of damage.

  • Brush with Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens enamel and makes it less likely to break down when acid hits it. Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing too hard can also speed up wear down your enamel, which a soft-bristled toothbrush can help you avoid.
  • Floss Daily: Flossing removes bacteria and food stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. This makes it less likely that plaque will build up and cause enamel to wear away.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Visiting the dentist regularly is crucial for maintaining your teeth’s health and preventing enamel loss. According to Kitchener dentist Sherwood Dental, check-ups should be done at least twice a year. During these trips, we can check on the health of your enamel, clean your teeth professionally, and give you personalized tips on how to keep your teeth healthy.

  • Professional Fluoride Treatments: Your dentist may sometimes suggest professional fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth. For these treatments, a strong fluoride solution is applied to your teeth, making them more resistant to acid.

How Fluoride Treatments Are Used

When you use fluoride, tooth enamel wears away quickly. It works by adding minerals back to worn-down enamel and making it stronger against acid attacks. Fluoride can be used in several ways to improve tooth health.

  • Use a Fluoride Mouthwash: Rinsing your lips with a fluoride mouthwash once a day can help protect your enamel even more. Look for mouthwashes that are made to protect against tooth wear.
  • Consider Fluoride Supplements: If you live in a place where the water isn’t fluoridated or if your doctor suggests it, fluoride supplements might be a good choice. These can come in the form of lozenges, drops, or pills.

Watch Out for These Signs of Enamel Erosion

Knowing what enamel loss looks like, you can fix the problem before it worsens. These are some usual signs that your enamel may be wearing away:

  • Increased Sensitivity: If you notice that hot, cold, or sweet foods hurt your teeth more, it could mean that the enamel is wearing away. As the enamel goes away, the dentin underneath is revealed, which makes the teeth more sensitive.
  • Discoloration: When your enamel wears away, the dentin underneath becomes more obvious, making your teeth look yellow. This change in colour could mean that your enamel is worn away.
  • Cracks and Chips: Weaker Enamel is more likely to break or crack. Small cracks or chips could indicate damage to the enamel on your teeth.

Simple Ways to Reduce Enamel Erosion Risk

  • Use a straw to drink acidic drinks so they don’t come into direct contact with your teeth.
  • If you eat or drink something sour, rinse your mouth with water.
  • Don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after you eat.
  • Don’t brush too hard or use toothpaste that is too rough.
  • You might want to use toothpaste that is made to protect teeth.

Conclusion

Enamel erosion is a serious problem that can harm oral health in the long run. You can prevent it and keep your smile bright by learning what causes it and taking steps to stop it. At Kitchener Dentist Sherwood Dental, we’re here to always help you. Don’t be afraid to call us at 519-576-2170 if you have questions about enamel loss or need help protecting your teeth. Make an appointment with us today, and we’ll help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

DISCLAIMER: The advice offered is intended to be informational only and generic in nature. It is in no way offering a definitive diagnosis or specific treatment recommendations for your particular situation. Any advice offered is no substitute for proper evaluation and care by a qualified dentist.