Why is tooth enamel damaged?
Tooth enamel is the outer protective shell, which, despite all the warnings that doctors say, is the most durable material in the body of any person.
Among the most common reasons why enamel can be damaged are:
- Heredity. Scientists have found that the creation of a qualitative composition of enamel occurs at the genetic level.
- Body health. This moment affects the state of the enamel, both directly and indirectly. Tooth enamel can be directly affected by various diseases that can change the mineral balance of the body. Diseases that are treated with antibiotics dixycycline and tetracycline, which contribute to the weakening and staining of the outer layer of incisors and molars, can indirectly affect the enamel.
- Anatomical features. Also, among the causes of damage to tooth enamel, there are pathologies of the location of the teeth and malocclusion.
- Imbalance of various substances. In the human body, everything is interconnected and the work of each process must be performed as accurately as possible. As a result of any violations of this balance, a variety of problems of a local nature may arise, i.e. the entire body as a whole is affected at once. Such problems may be associated with a lack or excess of certain substances in the body.
- Improper dental care. Each of us has our own individual thickness and quality of the protective layer of molars and incisors. In view of this moment, manufacturers of oral care products produce toothpastes and toothbrushes with different hardness. However, not all of us take this point into account and very often, we purchase toothbrushes based on their appearance or price, which is a very big mistake, because too hard toothbrushes scratch the enamel, and too soft toothbrushes will not be able to properly clean the mouth. cavities.
- Improper use of folk remedies for dental care. Not every of these methods can be dangerous, but one of them is definitely better not to use without the approval of a dentist. There are a lot of cases when people received a chemical burn as a result of teeth whitening with peroxide. It is also common to get deep scratches on the enamel as a result of cleaning with soda, as well as with the use of additional substances. It is not uncommon for teeth whitening at home, people use various means that they learn about from the Internet (caps or cavities).
Today, there are other reasons why enamel is damaged, however, the above points are the most common.
How to understand that tooth enamel is being destroyed?
You can determine the destruction of tooth enamel on your own, but it is better to consult with an experienced dentist. Among the most obvious symptoms that indicate problems with tooth enamel are:
Teeth discoloration
If there is a destruction of tooth enamel, then the teeth undergo great changes. As a result of the loss of enamel, there is a change in the color and shape of the teeth, as a result of which they acquire a completely different appearance.
- Beneath the enamel is a yellow layer of dentin. As a result of the wear of the enamel, it becomes thinner and more transparent, and a layer of dentin appears through it, and the teeth become yellowish in color.
- Yellowish teeth are a reliable indicator of the thinness of tooth enamel, and the thinner the enamel layer, the more yellow the teeth will be.
- If you have any doubts about what causes the yellowness of your teeth (thinning of the enamel or a change in its color), you can always try bleaching, as a result of which all yellow spots from the enamel are guaranteed to disappear.
Changing the shape of the teeth
Destroyed tooth enamel can cause not only discoloration, but also the shape of the teeth. So, the teeth may have a rounded or shortened appearance.
- Loss of tooth enamel can cause teeth to become rounded and appear shorter than usual.
- In the presence of dental fillings, you can notice that the teeth begin to decrease relative to the filling, which occurs if there is a destruction of the enamel of the teeth.
Cracks in the teeth
Destroyed tooth enamel can lead to the development of cracks and chips.
– Even if there are no visible cracks, it is still worth contacting a dentist at the first sign of thinness and fragility of the teeth (these signs indicate that cracks may soon begin to appear on the teeth).
Increased tooth sensitivity
During the destruction of tooth enamel, a layer of dentin is exposed, which not only makes the teeth yellow, but also makes them more sensitive.
- The manifestation of tooth sensitivity is possible when eating too hot or cold food, as well as when inhaling cold air.
- If the tooth enamel is completely destroyed, then the pulp (inner part of the tooth) is also damaged, as a result of which the internal tissues of the tooth become inflamed (pulpitis). Severe pain may appear in the process of eating.
chewing process. In the course of thinning of dentin and enamel, the teeth become shorter and it is necessary to exert the maximum amount of effort to chew food.
- The chewing surface of the tooth may become flatter, making biting and chewing more difficult.
- Also, pain can occur when food gets on the area of the tooth with destroyed enamel.
Holes and cavities in teeth
In the course of the destruction of enamel, as a rule, the teeth become more fragile (caries occurs). This point can be explained by the fact that enamel serves as a kind of protection for teeth from plaque and dirt. If tooth enamel is missing, then plaque and food debris will destroy the dentin, which will inevitably lead to the formation of cavities.
– By their size, the cavities can be quite deep, appearing where the enamel is destroyed and the inner layers of the teeth are exposed. In this case, you may experience severe pain, and sometimes infections may occur as a result of bacteria entering the tooth through the porous dentin.
Ways to prevent the destruction of tooth enamel
If you want to prevent the destruction of the enamel of your teeth, then for this you must also adhere to certain rules:
Regular visits to the dentist
Regular trips to the doctor will help you prevent the destruction of tooth enamel. If you find any sign of enamel destruction, then you should not wait for a planned visit to the doctor, you must make an appointment immediately.
- It is necessary to visit a dentist at least once a year. Despite the fact that some dentists recommend performing a routine checkup 2 times a year, an annual visit to the doctor is enough to detect signs of tooth enamel decay.
- If you notice the formation of cavities, then immediately inform the doctor at the very beginning of the examination. It is also worth telling the dentist about all the symptoms you are experiencing.
High quality and thorough dental care
When brushing your teeth, be careful not to apply too much pressure on the brush. Many of us do not even realize that we apply too much pressure to the toothbrush when brushing our teeth, however, with too much pressure on the brush, tooth enamel suffers. As a result of exposure to hard bristles and too sudden movements, tooth enamel can also be damaged.
- Always use soft-bristled toothbrushes, and brush your teeth gently with gentle strokes.
- Do not forget about hard-to-reach places (molars and gums). Spend at least 2 minutes in these moments when brushing your teeth.
Get rid of tooth friction
If you have a habit of rubbing your teeth against each other and clenching your jaws, then you should get rid of them, as they are harmful to the enamel and accelerate the process of wear and tear. If you have begun to suspect that tooth enamel can be damaged during sleep, then it is worth making an appointment with a dentist and discussing ways to help get rid of teeth grinding and clenching of the jaws.
– Place an order for a suitable mouth guard or buy an inexpensive mouth guard on the Internet to reliably protect your teeth from abrasion and squeezing.
Forget about bad habits
Your parents probably forbade you to bite your nails as a child. Indeed, this bad habit adversely affects the condition of tooth enamel.
- In addition to biting nails, it is also worth refraining from chewing pens and plastic covers, since as a result of these actions, the enamel also wears out.
- As a result of chewing tobacco and ice, the enamel also wears out, and cracks can form.
Get rid of drinking alcohol
The effect of alcohol on enamel is softening, resulting in destruction. In particular, this moment is critical if there is a frequent use of alcohol.
- Try to refrain from juices and sugary carbonated drinks that contain a lot of sugar. If you occasionally indulge in juices and sugary sodas, get in the habit of rinsing your mouth with plain water afterwards.
- Sports drinks, wine and beer also contain a lot of sugar, for this reason, try to consume these drinks in small quantities.
Avoid eating sticky foods
Such food can linger on the teeth for a long time, compared to other foods. In addition, it may contain a large amount of sugar, which can contribute to the formation of acids.
- The category of “sticky” foods includes: starchy foods, candy toffees, etc.
- You should not completely refuse such products, you should simply limit their consumption. For example, if you ate a lot of white bread at dinner, then you should not eat sweets for dessert.
Medicines
Antihistamines, aspirin, vitamin C, and some asthma medications can erode tooth enamel because they are high in acid.
- Since these medicines contain a lot of acid, they can harm the enamel when in contact with it. One of the side effects is corrosion.
- Do not completely abandon the medications you need. In the case of oral medications, for example, aspirin, it is always worth drinking them with water. If you use chewable preparations, then after them it is worth rinsing your mouth with water and brushing your teeth after a few minutes.
Diseases as a cause of destruction of tooth enamel
First of all, the destruction of tooth enamel can cause diseases that are characterized by frequent vomiting, since in such a situation, gastric juice enters the mouth, which contributes to the destruction of enamel.
A variety of diseases can have a destructive effect on tooth enamel, for example, heartburn, gastrointestinal diseases, gastritis, bulimia, alcoholism, or even pregnancy.
Despite the strangeness of the statement, it is better not to brush your teeth immediately after vomiting, as acids will soften the enamel, and such brushing will damage it. It is best to rinse your mouth with plain water and brush your teeth only after 30 minutes.
Effective ways to restore tooth enamel
It is immediately worth noting that it is impossible to restore tooth enamel at home! Of course, you can use certain professional procedures on your own, however, such a step can entail a lot of irreversible consequences. Today, fluorination and remineralization can be distinguished among the most effective and popular methods for restoring the protective layer.
Teeth fluoridation
Fluoride is an essential element for the health of tooth enamel. During the procedure, the dentist applies a special varnish to the teeth, which consists of fluorine. The enamel is saturated with useful microelements, the surface is strengthened and soothed, especially after various kinds of professional cleanings. In more than half of the cases, after fluoridation, small cracks decrease in size. However, fluorine also has a downside. With an excess of fluorine in the body, very serious consequences can occur, much greater than with a shortage. So, the fluoridation procedure should not be carried out more than once a year.
Remineralization of teeth
An excellent alternative to fluoridation is remineralization. During the procedure, the same principle is used as during fluoridation, however, this time the varnish contains not only fluorine, but much more useful substances. Remineralization can be repeated once every 6 months. The procedure has a cumulative effect. In order to get full confidence that the protective shell has really become stronger, it is necessary to conduct a full course of remineralization.
Adviсe
In order to prevent rapid damage to tooth enamel, professional dentists recommend following these tips:
- Avoid excessive consumption of carbonated drinks and sugary snacks.
- Visit the dentist at least once every six months, in order to conduct a preventive examination.
- After drinking alcohol or fruit juice, it is necessary to rinse your mouth with clean water, as these products can damage tooth enamel.
Warnings
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should make an immediate visit to the dentist.
