While tooth erosion can’t be reversed, there are several treatments to help counteract and repair the damage.
Most of us will have some tooth erosion during our lifetime. The amount and severity will depend on how well we take care of our teeth, any oral habits we may have (smoking, chewing tobacco, eating a lot sweets and candy, etc.) and even our genetics – some people naturally excrete more plaque than others (a major cause of tooth erosion).
First a bit of background on the causes of tooth erosion:
Erosion occurs on a tooth’s enamel, the thin outer layer of a tooth.
Enamel actually is clear; the color of our teeth comes from the main part of the tooth, the dentin.
Our enamel protects our teeth from the wear and tear that naturally occurs living our day-to-day lives: eating, biting, grinding, etc. And, while enamel is very hard, it can crack and/or chip.
If the enamel becomes eroded – or if the tooth chips/cracks – that’s it. Damage done. Enamel has no living cells; our bodies can’t repair or replace it.
By far the best treatment for tooth erosion is prevention; regularly visit your dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups.
Acid is by far the main culprit when it comes to tooth erosion: the acid found in many of the foods we eat and drink wears the enamel away over time.
Common foods and drinks we consume that erode enamel include:
- Soft drinks (the drinks contain a good deal of citric and phosphoric acids)
- Acid reflux disease (GERD)
- A diet that includes a lot of sugar and starches
- Fruit juice such as orange juice
- Medications such as antihistamines and even aspirin
- Dry mouth (low salivary flow found in those who have xerostomia)
- Inherited conditions (such as excessive plaque excretion)
Tooth enamel also erodes due to friction (via the natural use of your teeth biting, chewing, etc.), brushing your teeth too hard, flossing poorly, chewing tobacco, and biting on things you shouldn’t bite on (removing a bottle cap from a bottle, for example).
Plaque can sometimes cause tooth erosion because plaque transforms the starches found in food into acids and those acids can start to eat way (erode) the tooth enamel. Regular flossing and brushing (done correctly) can help keep plaque at bay and prevent it from leading to enamel erosion.
Treatments for tooth erosion include:
- Using a remineralizing gel that contains fluoride and phosphate when you brush your teeth. This can help restore minor erosion caused by acid erosion and day-to-day wear on teeth.
- Your dentist can place dental crowns as caps on your teeth if the erosion is moderate or extensive. Crowns restore your teeth to their original shape.
- Veneers can be bonded (glued) to the front of the affected teeth and can cover chipped, eroded, cracked, and even broken teeth. Veneers also help prevent further damage.
The best treatment for tooth erosion is prevention: watch the sodas, the sweets and juices. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Visit your dentist regularly for cleaning and removal of built-up plaque deposits. Good oral hygiene is the best defense when it comes to tooth erosion.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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