Can You Fix Dental Erosion?
Enamel is the outermost layer of the teeth. It protects the crown or the visible part of the teeth. The enamel is strong but can also wear, and its biggest offender is acid.
Dental erosion or enamel loss can be uncomfortable and painful. Enamel also serves as an insulating barrier for the teeth. Although tough, the enamel can crack, erode, and get damaged. When it thins, changes in temperature can reach the nerves and make teeth more sensitive.
Does the Enamel Grow Back?
Surface loss in the teeth or dental erosion cannot be replenished. The enamel doesn't grow back. It cannot regenerate itself because the cells forming it are also lost after the tooth erupts.
This is why it's so important to refrain from habits that could lead to enamel loss. The enamel won't regenerate, but you can boost the health of acid-weakened enamel.
What Does the Enamel Do?
Why is it necessary to look after the enamel? What's the role it plays on teeth?
The enamel, first and foremost, is the protective barrier of the tooth. It’s made of calcium, phosphorus, water, and protein. The enamel appears shiny because of its translucent state. The dentin beneath it gives it color. Your teeth can appear yellowish or grayish, depending on the shade of your dentin.
Without enamel, the tooth becomes more vulnerable to damaging substances. It loses its protective layer, making it more prone to breakage. As a result, teeth can decay and deteriorate faster. They can also become more sensitive to cold, heat, and extreme temperatures.
The layer of the teeth below the enamel, the dentin, also stains more easily, making your smile appear darker. As the enamel strips and the sensitive part of the teeth becomes exposed, the teeth also become more susceptible to infection, abscess, and gum disease.
Treating Enamel Erosion at the Dental Office
While loose enamel cannot be regrown, there are options at the dental office to strengthen teeth and prevent further erosion. To boost enamel health, your dentist may recommend fluoride applications.
To strengthen the eroded tooth, your dentist may suggest dental bonding. This cosmetic procedure involves applying tooth-colored resin to damaged or weakened tooth areas. Dental bonding reshapes teeth, conceals chips, and makes teeth look longer.
For advanced erosion, one option you and your dentist may consider is a dental crown. Here, a custom cap is worn over the tooth to improve its appearance, functionality, and strength. This dental restoration boosts the health of weakened, damaged, or broken teeth.
How to Prevent or Reduce Dental Erosion
Here are some steps to protect and minimize the effects of acids on tooth enamel:
- Reduce the intake of carbonated or fizzy beverages. Practice using straws to reduce the direct contact of acids with teeth.
- Hydrate with plain water to help dislodge sugary and starchy food deposits and increase moisture levels in the mouth.
- Avoid constant snacking to prevent plaque buildup. Plaque constantly forms on the tooth surfaces, and grazing can cause it to accumulate much more quickly.
- Refrain from brushing immediately after eating. Acids from food weaken the teeth. Brushing right away can make the teeth even more vulnerable to erosion.
- Keep up with your routine dental checkups and dental hygiene cleanings.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the teeth. Brush in a circular motion using gentle strokes.
Treating teeth weakened by acids and preventing dental erosion is possible. You can protect your teeth with guidance from your dentist.
To learn more tips on how to improve enamel and tooth health, contact our team at Mckenzie Towne Family Dental. We’re happy to assist you in booking a consultation with one of our dentists in SE, Calgary, AB.
References:
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Dental Enamel Formation and Implications for Oral Health and Disease
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Enamel Regeneration - Current Progress and Challenges