Enamel, a component that shields teeth from chemical and physical harm, makes up the outer covering of your teeth. Enamel on teeth is highly durable. It is more resilient than bone and the toughest tissue in the human body.
Your teeth’s enamel serves as their first line of protection against the numerous chemicals that come from food and physiological fluids. It may be vulnerable to damage and tear as a result. It is known as enamel erosion. Tooth stains and discomfort are two signs of enamel erosion. If you are from London and looking for a good dentist then you must contact Dominic Thorncroft for the best treatment of tooth enamel erosion.
Causes of Tooth Enamel Erosion
Food acids may cause tooth erosion by wearing down the enamel on your teeth. The following are the factors that can contribute to enamel erosion:
- Consuming an excessive amount of soft drinks high in phosphoric and citric acids. Sugar is a food source for oral bacteria, producing acids that erode enamel. If you do not routinely brush your teeth, it may get worse.
- Fruit beverages contain several acids that are more corrosive than battery acid.
- Low salivation (xerostomia) or a dry mouth may also cause enamel erosion. Saliva prevents tooth decay by clearing out the bacteria and food particles in your mouth. Additionally, it reduces acids to a manageable level.
- Drinking excessive alcohol leads to vomiting, which is damaging to teeth. This may result in tooth enamel erosion.
- Sour snacks or meals contain a lot of acids as well. This leads to enamel erosion.
Symptoms of Tooth Enamel Erosions
- In the early stages of enamel erosion, specific foods like sweets and meal temperatures (hot or cold) may trigger a twinge of pain.
- Your teeth may look yellow as the enamel wears away.
- As the enamel erodes, the tips of your teeth start becoming more uneven, rough, and jagged.
- If your teeth look much shiner and smoother than before, it may be an indication of mineral loss, which causes enamel erosion.
- Teeth become especially sensitive to sweets and temperatures in the final stages of enamel degradation. A painful shock of extreme sensitivity that hurts could occur.
The tooth is more prone to cavities when the enamel erodes. The decay obtains access to the tooth’s root when it penetrates the tough enamel. Small cavities could initially be trouble-free. However, if they deepen and spread into the tooth, cavities may affect the delicate nerve fibers, which could lead to an infection or abscess that is excruciatingly painful.
Enamel is quite resilient. However, it cannot repair itself if it sustains physical or chemical harm since it lacks living cells. This indicates that enamel erosion cannot be stopped and that the enamel cannot regrow.
Enamel loss, however, happens gradually. Therefore, you can stop enamel erosion from getting worse even if you already have some.
One can avoid tooth enamel erosion by taking steps to stop it before it starts. Make sure you brush, floss, and use fluoride and antibacterial mouthwash every day to avoid enamel loss and maintain dental health. Enamel on teeth cannot grow back. However, one can stop it from worsening with dental care and good oral hygiene.