Your teeth are covered with tooth enamel which is the hardest tissue in the human body. Tooth enamel protects the inner part of the tooth from chewing and biting and insulates it against changes in temperature. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean it cannot be damaged and unlike broken bones, damaged enamel cannot repair itself because it doesn’t contain any living cells.
Learning Why Tooth Enamel Can Become Damaged
Tooth enamel can become damaged due to decay or trauma, or because of exposure to acids. This may be as a result of eating acidic foods or it can be due to eating lots of sugary foods that feed bacteria in the mouth, enabling them to thrive. As they feed, bacteria produce acids that attack the tooth enamel.
Damage can be caused by other conditions such as dry mouth or xerostomia, acid reflux or GERD, or because you need to take certain medications. It can also occur due to environmental factors, perhaps due to tooth clenching and grinding and some people are just unlucky enough to have thinner tooth enamel than others.
Recognising the Symptoms of Tooth Enamel Damage
If you do have damage to tooth enamel then you’re likely to experience a number of symptoms. One of the most common is increased sensitivity to certain foods and, in particular to hot and cold and very sweet foods. Your teeth may look increasingly discoloured and this is due to the underlying dentine coming more exposed. The dentine layer of the tooth contains the natural colour which is normally masked slightly by opaque tooth enamel. You might notice your teeth look slightly irregular or worn down or that they have rough edges where the enamel is eroding. As the tooth enamel erodes, it becomes more susceptible towards tooth decay which is why it’s so important to take action to repair any damage.
Repairing Damaged Tooth Enamel
The method of restoration will depend on the location of the tooth and the extent of the damage. Sometimes it will be sufficient to bond the tooth. This process uses tooth coloured composite resins for repair. The material bonds very strongly with the tooth, restoring strength and structure while enhancing cosmetic appearance of the affected tooth. If the damage is more significant, a tooth may need to be covered up entirely with a crown. These days you can opt for an all-ceramic crown that doesn’t have any metal and which can look quite beautiful.
Preventing Damage to Your Tooth Enamel
Dentists would far rather patients prevent damage to their tooth enamel and this can often be simply accomplished by implementing a few straightforward changes. Eliminating or cutting back on acidic foods as well as very sugary foods can be helpful. If you like to snack, choose options that are less damaging for your teeth such as cheese and fresh vegetables, minimising the risk of an acid attack. Chew sugar-free gum after meals for just a few minutes as this helps to stimulate the flow of saliva, reducing acidity in the mouth. Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and prophylaxis as good professional preventative dentistry is vital.
Yours in oral health,
