How to Treat Tooth Enamel Loss

How to Treat Tooth Enamel Loss

Enamel is the outermost layer that covers the crown of the teeth. It is thin, translucent and the hardest tissue in the body. Enamel acts as a protective layer helping to safeguard the teeth while they undergo the daily stress and strain of chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. It also insulates the teeth when they are exposed to extremes of temperatures and attack by chemicals. If you have experienced tooth enamel loss, you will need treatment from your dentist. Recognising the symptoms and the factors that can contribute to enamel loss will help you prevent it.

Visit your dentist regularly. Diagnosis of the early stages of wear is very difficult so it's important that you keep a close eye on the condition of your teeth and have regular check-ups with your dentist. Patient symptoms are the most important thing in the diagnosis of erosion so having your teeth checked will give you the best chance of an early diagnosis.

Monitor your teeth at home. As well as visiting your dentist, you should take time to monitor your teeth at home and look for signs of erosion or decay. In order to prevent enamel loss you need to stick to a good dental hygiene regime, brushing and flossing twice daily. If you get into good oral hygiene habits you will be more aware of your teeth and it is more likely that you will spot signs of erosion earlier. The most common place for wear to begin is on canine teeth in most cases. It's the best place to see the beginning signs of wear or in this case, grinding.

Recognize visible symptoms of erosion. There are a number of symptoms of erosion and decay that you can see by observing the appearance of your teeth and their outer surface. As the enamel erodes and more of the dentin is exposed, your teeth may suffer discolouration and appear more yellow. When you grind your teeth, the edges of your teeth may become rougher, jagged or appear more irregular, with cracks and chips. You may notice indentations appear on the surface of your teeth. This is known as cupping and can be a symptom of erosion.

Pay attention to sensory symptoms of enamel loss. You should also pay close attention to the potential sensory symptoms. If your teeth ache, are sore or especially sensitive, don't ignore it, as it could be a symptom of a more serious dental problem. In the early stages of enamel erosion you may experience somewhat increased sensitivity when you consume certain foods and drinks. If sweets or hot and cold drinks cause a twinge of pain, this could indicate the early stages of of erosion at the gumline of the teeth, also known as abfractions. If you notice this twinge, act quickly and make an appointment with your dentist to try and prevent the erosion from accelerating.

Talk to your dentist about treatment. If you have lost tooth enamel you need to visit your dentist to discuss treatment options with them. Enamel cannot restore itself naturally, so if you have experienced erosion you need advice from a professional on what action to take. The treatment will depend on your particular condition, but some of the options include covering the tooth with a crown or a ceramic veneer. Dental crowns can be applied to your teeth so that they regain their original shape and strength. Dental fillings can be used to fill and repair cavities. They reduce the sensitivity of your teeth and smooth out any damaged surfaces.

Purchase a soft bristle toothbrush. Although you cannot treat tooth enamel loss yourself, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of it occurring. Some dentists believe that one the many causes for enamel loss is brushing your teeth too hard. This practice can also lead to gum recession. Pair that with a hard bristle toothbrush and you have recipe for tooth enamel loss. Instead, use a soft bristle brush to gently brush your teeth. Ensure you have a good brushing technique. Brush your teeth up and down, using a vertical rolling motion to get every part of your teeth. Brush twice a day for around two minutes each time.

Use fluoride toothpaste. You need to have strong healthy teeth to ensure that you do not suffer from enamel loss. Fluoride works to strengthen your teeth against the threat of decay, so when you buy toothpaste ensure that is a fluoride toothpaste. These are widely available in your local store and will often state that they contain fluoride prominently on the packaging. If you have a history of cavities or other problems to do with tooth decay, your dentist may suggest daily fluoride treatments.

Use a desensitizing mouthwash and toothpaste. Using a desensitizing mouthwash or toothpaste can reduce the pain you feel caused by your enamel loss. Use the toothpaste as you would any other toothpaste. Use the mouthwash to rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, twice a day, after brushing. You can find many brands of toothpaste and mouthwash for sensitive and damaged teeth in your local drug store, pharmacy or dentists.

Cut down on acidic drinks. One of the main causes of tooth decay and enamel erosion is a bad diet, or excessive consumption of some particular damaging substances. Limit your intake of carbonated drinks and fruit drinks. Whenever possible, drink soft drinks and alcoholic drinks with a straw so as to minimize damage to the teeth. Straws help to keep the soda from directly hitting the teeth. Although you might think they are healthy, some fruit drinks contain highly erosive acids which can contribute to loss of enamel. Also try to avoid drinks with a lot of added sugar. A high intake of herbal teas may have an erosive potential that is greater than acidic orange juice.

Rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking. Water helps to rinse away any enamel-eroding substances that your food or drinks might have contained. If you have been eating or drinking something that is acidic, take a few moments to rinse your mouth out afterwards. The faster you can rinse away these substances, the healthier your teeth will be. The mouth is acidic for a few hours after consuming foods high in sugar and starches. If you don’t have any water handy, promoting saliva protection also works well. Saliva acts as a neutralizer that combats any acidic substances you might have consumed. Drink more water throughout the day if you have a dry mouth or low saliva.

Chew sugar free gum between meals. Another way to neutralize the acids in your mouth after eating and drinking is to chew sugar free gum after meals. Chewing gum can dramatically increase the amount of saliva your produce, to up to ten times the normal amount. The minerals in saliva help to strengthen your teeth and wash away the acidic remains from food and drink. Be sure the gum is sugar free and with the ingredient Xylitol. Limit your chewing to avoid potential problems with your jaw joints and grinding teeth.

Understand the environmental factors. Friction and general wear and tear both contribution to enamel loss and erosion. Grinding your teeth causes friction, and abrasion can occur when you brush your teeth too hard. Other common causes of wear and tear are biting and chewing on hard objects, such as pens, pencils and fingernails. Chewing on these hard objects can scrape away the enamel on your teeth, so try to get out of the habit of chewing on pen lids.


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