Before we start, there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself; a) Are you taking good care of your teeth? b) Are you taking the right preventive measures to ensure there is no erosion? The answer to these questions will determine your oral hygiene and extent of erosion in the teeth if any. It is essential to be aware of the food and drink items that are likely to erode the enamel of the teeth. Although the enamel is strong, it is vulnerable to certain food items which gradually lead to its wear and tear. Moreover, your lifestyle choices play an important role in determining your oral hygiene and health.
Dev’s Oral Care is one of the leading dental clinics in Pune offering a wide spectrum of advanced and modern dental treatments. In addition, by making use of modern and cutting-edge technology, Dev’s Oral Care has gradually established itself as one of the best dentists in Camp, Pune. The team consists of some of the most experienced and qualified dental experts with a strong understanding of dentistry.
Let’s take a closer look at what the enamel is, risks of tooth erosion, indications of tooth erosion, and its causes.
Tooth enamel
The crown of the tooth (the part that can be seen outside the gums) is covered by the enamel. The enamel is responsible for protecting your teeth from weathering caused by biting, chewing, grinding, and crunching. As mentioned before, the enamel is fairly strong, it is vulnerable to chipping and cracking. Moreover, once the tooth is cracked, the damage is permanent unlike how bones can be restored or repaired. As the enamel does not have any living cell, the body does not have the ability to repair the chipped or damaged enamel.
Risks of tooth erosion
When the enamel of the teeth wears out, the chances of tooth decay shoot up significantly. Although minor cavities may not cause problems initially, it may cause an immense amount of pain once the decay enters the tooth and affects the nerves of the tooth.
Indications of tooth erosion
1. The early signs of erosion include minor pain and sensitivity while eating hot or cold food items, sweet, and certain other food items.
2. Your teeth start to appear yellow due to the erosion of enamel and high exposure of the dentin.
3. The edges of the teeth tend to become rougher and uneven than usual
4. Teeth become highly sensitive
Causes of tooth erosion
- High consumption of aerated drinks (drinks with high quantities of citric and phosphoric acid)
- Low salivary flow and dry mouth
- Consumption of food items with high amounts of sugar
- Acid reflux
Preventive measures to avoid erosion
- Moderating the consumption of acidic drinks and food items.
- Change in lifestyle to ensure that enamel erosion does not take place
- Use of straw to reduce the contact of acidic drinks with the teeth.
- Use of toothbrush that has soft bristles and avoids brushing abruptly
- Fluoride gels can be used to ensure the enamel remains strong
- Increase the intake of milk that is rich in calcium and can remineralize the enamel making it stronger
Tooth erosion can lead to several dental complications in the future if not dealt with at the right time. Apart from bringing changes in your lifestyle, it is also essential to focus on self-care by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly. Dev’s Oral Care is one of the best dental clinics in Pune with years of experience and credibility. To book an appointment get in touch today!