Tooth enamel is one of the strongest parts of your body. The enamel is the strong coating that covers the tooth, giving it structure and protecting the delicate dental pulp inside the tooth, over time the enamel can wear, which can lead to tooth decay, pain and further problems, if left untreated.
Acid is one of the leading causes of enamel erosion. Acid is found in a number of foods, but in most instances your saliva, which is alkaline, controls the erosion. Eating acid foods and drinks, combined with sugared foods and drinks can all have a negative impact on the enamel, increasing your risk of tooth erosion in the future.
Signs of Tooth Enamel Erosion
There are four signs you can look for to identify if your enamel is suffering from erosion. The first is pain. Most people who have enamel erosion will suffer from sensitivity to hot and cold. Taking a sip of iced water can increase pain, or enjoying a hot drink can leave you in agony.
Another sign is discolouration. As the enamel erodes, the dentin, which sits below the enamel is exposed. Dentin is slightly yellow in colour, which will make your teeth discolour. If you notice this, seek dental assistance and get a treatment plan in place as quickly as possible.
In some cases you may notice that the edges of your teeth appear transparent. The transparency is usually noticed where you bite. The final sign of enamel erosion is cracks in the tooth. While your entire tooth may not be cracked, when you look closely you may notice small hair-line cracks or dents on the surface of the tooth. This is mainly on teeth that are used for chewing and is seen on the chewing surfaces.
Preventative Measures
In order to reduce the risk of your tooth enamel eroding and keeping your teeth strong and healthy, there are preventative steps you can take.
The first is to reduce the amount of acid and sugar in your diet. Remember if you drink something sugary or eat something acidy, don’t brush immediately. Wait an hour and then brush so you don’t spread the acid or sugar to the other teeth.
If you want a sports drink or sugared drink, do so in moderation and use a straw. Drinking through a straw you can position the liquid to the back of the mouth, avoiding the teeth.
Chewing sugar free chewing gum is another option. Chewing gum encourages the production of saliva, which is alkaline and can help protect the enamel from erosion.
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