Enamel is the outer covering found in every tooth. It covers the part of the tooth that is visible above the gums. Although it is very thin and translucent, enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. It also protects your teeth from years of crunching, chewing, grinding, and biting.

Despite enamel being the strongest tissue in the body, it can still chip and crack. When your enamel gets broken and erodes, you can feel more pain and discomfort when eating or drinking hot and cold foods and drinks. 

Unfortunately, enamel cannot fix itself once it breaks off or gets damaged. For this reason, you need to regularly visit your dentist and make sure that it stays strong and healthy.

Signs of Tooth Enamel Erosion

If you suspect that you have enamel erosion because the signs listed below apply to you, you must visit your dentist immediately.

 

  1. You’re teeth have cracks and chips. Because the tooth enamel has been broken, your teeth would be prone to cracking and chipping. You will feel that the edges of your teeth have an irregular shape, feel rough, and may develop uneven spikes.
  2. Your teeth feel sensitive and painful. Due to the erosion, the enamel that protects your teeth would have holes. This would be the reason why your teeth become more sensitive and why you feel a tingly and painful sensation when you’re eating certain foods that are hot and cold.
  3. The surface of your teeth looks smooth and shiny. You might think that having shiny teeth looks and feels great, but that is not the case. If your tooth looks smooth and shiny, that is the sign that you’re losing minerals in your teeth.
  4. Your teeth take on a yellowish tinge. Your dentin, the part responsible for teeth colour, is exposed once the enamel erodes, which is why your teeth would appear more yellow.

Causes of Tooth Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion occurs when the enamel on your teeth is washed away by acid. There are a lot of causes that lead to this, and here are some of the reasons why:

 

  • Soda or soft drinks – Soft drinks contain a lot of phosphoric and citric acids. They also have a lot of sugar in them. Bacteria feed off of sugar, which is how the acids that cause erosion are produced. Don’t consume too many soft drinks, and make sure to clean your teeth regularly.
  • Acidic food – Acid ruins the enamel of your teeth, so consuming food that is high in acid definitely causes erosion. Examples of acidic foods are sour food and candies.
  • Tooth abrasion – Tooth abrasion happens when you brush your teeth a little too forcefully, bite on hard objects, floss in the wrong way, and more. The tooth surface wears and tears because of this, which ruins the enamel.
  • Bulimia – Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves vomiting. Vomit contains stomach acid, which is why it erodes tooth enamel and ruins your teeth’s strength. This can also lead to cavities.

Summary

There are more signs and causes of tooth enamel erosion, but the ones listed above are the most common. Out of all of them, we can say that acid is the main component that causes tooth enamel erosion. Make sure to clean your teeth regularly and avoid food and beverages that are sources of acid.

If you’re worried that you might have tooth enamel erosion, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your local dentist. We at Edmonton Smiles are the perfect place for dental emergencies, teeth whitening, and preventive services. You can find the best cosmetic dentist in Edmonton here. Book an appointment for all your dental needs!

Posted in Dental News