The enamel is the hardest tissue that’s found in the human body. This thin outer covering covers the crown of the tooth—the area that’s visible above the gums. The enamel is translucent and allows light to pass through, and the dentin is responsible for the color of your teeth, whether it be white, off-white, or yellowish.
Things like coffee, cola, red wine, and cigarettes often leave stains on the enamel of the teeth. Regular visits to our professional dentist can help you keep the surface of your teeth squeaky clean with routine polishing.
Enamel acts as a protector for your teeth while you go through the daily motions of chewing, biting, grinding, and crunching. This hard protector can get chipped or cracked without proper care. Erosion may lead to increased sensitivity towards hot or cold foods and drinks, as well as sweets, as they get into direct contact with your teeth through the holes in the enamel.
Tooth erosion occurs when acids wear away the enamel. It can be caused by:
- Drinking too much soda and other soft drinks. The presence of high amounts of citric acid and phosphoric acid isn’t good for your teeth. Your mouth’s bacteria thrive on sugar, eroding the enamel by forming acids as their waste products. It can get worse if you don’t commit to proper oral hygiene.
- Fruit drinks with erosive acids.
- Sour candies or foods that are acidic
- Low saliva flow such as xerostomia or dry mouth cause also promotes teeth erosion. Saliva prevents tooth decay as it washes down leftover food and bacteria in the mouth, along with bringing acids to a more acceptable level.
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Medications such as aspirin, vitamin C, and antihistamines.
There are many different signs of tooth erosion, depending on its stage. Some major signs include:
- Sensitivity to sweets and temperature of different foods. It’s an early sign of enamel erosion.
- Discoloration as the dentin gets more and more exposed.
- Chips and cracks as the edges of your teeth become more irregular and rough due to enamel erosion.
- Severe and painful sensitivity that can the affected person’s breath away.
Cupping—indentations formed on the tooth’s surface.
Treatment for tooth erosion depends on the severity and cause of the problem. Experienced dentists at Rapha Dental LLC can check your mouth to determine whether you need tooth bonding to protect your teeth or a crown to protect them from further decay.
Contact us for any queries, or book an appointment to get a checkup today!
