COMMON CAUSES OF TOOTH ENAMEL DAMAGE

While many dental and oral problems can go unnoticed until they reach an advanced stage, issues that affect the tooth enamel tend to call attention to themselves right away. If you have noticed visible changes in the outward appearance of your smile, you may have some form of enamel damage that requires professional dental attention.

Here are some common examples of problems that can affect tooth enamel, along with helpful strategies to protect or restore your smile.

Age-Related Changes

Age affects your teeth just as it affects many other parts of your body. Even the strongest enamel will eventually wear thin after decades of chewing. As the enamel thins, your teeth may appear yellowish instead of white. This change does not necessarily indicate stains; it simply means that the yellowish dentin beneath the enamel has grown more visible.

You can minimize wear and tear on your aging tooth enamel by watching what you eat and how you chew it. For instance, don’t munch on ice cubes or hard candies, which can encourage enamel damage in vulnerable teeth. Exchange raw fruits and vegetables for softer cooked alternatives, or hold the foods in your mouth long enough to let saliva soften them.

Even if you take precautions with your weakened enamel, you may develop cracks in your teeth (an especially common occurrence in people aged 50 and older). If you see or feel a fracture or chip, schedule a dental evaluation immediately. You may need a crown or other form of treatment to seal off that fracture against bacteria. A crown can also protect the integrity of the rest of the tooth.

Dietary Issues

Acids eat into the minerals that make up tooth enamel. This erosion can create cavities, damage the tooth roots, make your teeth unusually sensitive, and increase your risks for cracks or chips. Unfortunately, the modern diet consists largely of acidic foods and beverages. Pickled foods, red wine, citrus fruits (including juices), and any sugary food or drink will have an acidic pH.

You can reduce the impact of acidic foods and beverages on your tooth enamel by simply removing such items from your everyday menu. Opt to replace them with more pH-neutral options. Water, for instance, has an ideally neutral pH. Milk tends very slightly toward the acidic end of the scale, but it contains the calcium that helps you maintain strong enamel. Nuts and cheeses can replace sugary snacks.

Acid Reflux

The acid that damages tooth enamel doesn't always come from without. If you have a problem known as acid reflux (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), your own stomach acids can rise through your esophagus and erode the enamel on your rear molars. This problem may occur while you sleep, without your knowledge, and show up only during a dental exam.

The removal of acidic foods from your diet doesn't just protect your tooth enamel against those foods; it can also help you control acid reflux. You may also need to avoid fatty or spicy foods, alcohol, and smoking.

Bruxism

Bruxism, or chronic tooth grinding, can cause your tooth enamel to wear more quickly and deeply than it normally would. Other symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, and sensitive teeth. Like acid reflux, this problem can occur during sleep, but it can also appear as an unconscious daytime habit. Emotional stress may make you more vulnerable to bruxism.

A dental evaluation can confirm whether you suffer from bruxism. You can protect your teeth from further damage with the aid of a custom-fitted dental splint or night guard. You may also benefit from lifestyle changes that help you reduce the amount of stress you experience (or cope with that stress more successfully).

Take action to preserve your tooth enamel now, and enjoy a more attractive smile for many years to come. Contact the office of Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, for more information or to schedule a dental appointment.