Dental erosion is the loss of enamel caused by acid. Enamel is the hard, protective outermost coating of the tooth, which protects the sensitive dentine underneath. When the enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed, which can cause pain and sensitivity.
Erosion usually shows up as hollows within the teeth and a general wearing of the tooth surface and biting edges. This will expose the dentine underneath, which may be a darker, yellower colour than the enamel. Because the dentine is sensitive, your teeth also can be more sensitive to heat and cold or acidic foods and drinks.
Every time you eat or drink anything acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes softer for a short while and loses some of its mineral content. Your saliva will slowly wipe out this acidity in your mouth and obtain it back to its natural balance. However, if this acid attack happens too often, your mouth doesn’t have an opportunity to repair itself and tiny bits of enamel are often brushed away. Over time, you begin to lose the surface of your teeth.
Bulimia may be a condition where patients make themselves sick so that they lose weight. Because there are high levels of acid within the vomit, this will cause damage to the enamel.
Acids produced by the stomach can come up into the mouth (this is named as GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease). People suffering from hiatal hernia or esophageal problems, or who drink an excessive amount of alcohol, can also find they suffer from dental erosion because of vomiting.
Acidic foods and drinks can cause erosion. Acidity is measured by its ‘pH value’, and anything that features a pH value under 5.5 is more acidic and may harm your teeth.
Fizzy drinks, sodas, pops and carbonated drinks can cause erosion. It’s important to remember that even the ‘diet’ brands are still harmful. Even flavored fizzy waters can have an impact if drunk in large amounts, as they contain weak acids that may harm your teeth.
Acidic foods and drinks like fruit and fruit juices – particularly citrus ones including lemon and orange – contain natural acids that may be harmful to your teeth, especially if you have plenty of them often.
‘Alcopops’, ‘coolers’, and ‘designer drinks’ that contain acidic fruits and are fizzy can cause erosion too.
Plain, still water is the best drink for teeth. Milk is additionally good because it helps to wipe out the acids in your mouth.
Many sports drinks contain ingredients that will cause dental erosion as well as decay. However, it’s important for athletes to avoid dehydration because this will cause xerostomia (dryness of the mouth) and bad breath.
There are a number of things you can do:
As well as employing a fluoride toothpaste, your dentist may suggest you employ a fluoride-containing mouthwash and have a fluoride varnish applied a minimum of every six months. They’ll also prescribe a toothpaste with more fluoride in it.
Dental erosion does not always need to be treated. With regular check-ups and advice, your dental team can prevent the matter from getting any worse, and therefore the erosion going any longer. If a tooth does need treatment, it’s important to protect the enamel and also the dentine underneath to stop sensitivity.
Usually, simply bonding a filling onto the tooth is going to be enough to repair it. However, in additional severe cases, the dentist may have to suit a veneer.
Also read: What are the dental veneers?
Costs will vary, counting on the sort of treatment you would like.
It is important to speak about all the treatment options together with your dental team and obtain a written estimate of the value before starting treatment.
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