After you eat, bacteria in your mouth feast on sugars from sweet foods and starches. This makes acids that can destroy enamel. The green rods in this slide are bacteria that cause mild gum disease, also called gingivitis. Acids in sodas, juices, and drinks are harmful, too.
As the bacterial plaque in your mouth produces acid after eating your dietary sugar, that acid slowly eats away at your enamel, taking months or even years to cause the type of damage that requires a filling, crown, and/or root canal therapy from your dentist.
As such, no matter how hard the enamel is, it can corrode, erode, and wear away over time. Enamel loss is one of the main causes of tooth sensitivity and eventually, dental decay.
One treatment option is repairing tooth enamel with dental bonding. Dental bonding involves applying a dental resin to the tooth surface to protect damaged areas and restore the intact surface. Enamel damage is usually experienced on the front of your teeth.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Once the tooth enamel has been damaged, there is no way to reverse the effects of tooth enamel erosion. Dr. Hoard does offer services like tooth bonding, dental veneers, and dental crowns to help treat the damaged tooth enamel.
Damage Caused By Brushing Too Hard
Brushing too hard and using a toothbrush with stiff, coarse bristles can wear down and damage both the teeth and gums, creating a host of issues, such as gum recession and enamel wear, both of which are linked to tooth sensitivity.
Brushing regularly is considered vital for healthy teeth and gums, but dental experts warn that you can overdo it. Known as “toothbrush abrasion,” overbrushing can lead to sensitive teeth and receding gums. Vigorous brushing can wear down the enamel on your teeth and damage your gums, exposing the sensitive root area.
Many fruits are high in acidity, including lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, grapes, and apples. The high sugar and acid content in soda makes it another huge contributor to enamel decay. Moderately acidic foods include pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, cottage cheese, maple syrup, yogurt, raisins, pickles, and honey.
Coffee, like any drink other than water, increases your risk of developing cavities. Because it introduces bacteria and acids into your mouth, coffee can also erode tooth enamel causing sensitivity and brittle teeth over time.
Sensitive teeth can occur in the earliest stages of damage to tooth enamel, manifesting as a small twinge of pain when eating sweets or hot or cold food. In later stages, tooth sensitivity becomes more aggressive and causes severe pain. Discoloration of the teeth begins when the semi-translucent layer of enamel erodes.
As the enamel erodes more, your teeth may appear grayish or yellow. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial. Eventually, you may notice cracks in the teeth or experience loss of tooth material.
If your teeth have already thinned, there are a few treatments that help restore the enamel. Dental bonding, a treatment that involves the application of a composite resin to your teeth, is one option. Veneers are another option for those who are interested.
Toothpastes for Enamel Protection
Help guard against the daily effects of acid erosion with Sensodyne's line of toothpastes specially formulated for enamel protection. Our Pronamel range strengthens and rehardens weakened enamel for ongoing protection against acid wear.
The remineralization process usually takes about three to four months to take effect. However, once you begin to better fortify your enamel, you may start to see stronger teeth, experience less sensitivity, and even reveal a whiter smile.
Phosphorus plays a critical role in dental health because it can naturally help protect and help rebuild tooth enamel.
Your dentist may recommend tooth bonding (filling the damaged areas with tooth-colored resins) to protect the tooth and improve its appearance. If the enamel loss is more severe, a crown may be necessary to protect the tooth from further decay.
A dental filling can last as long as 20 years. While fillings may need to be replaced at some point, they are one of the more permanent options for repairing a tooth that has lost enamel.
From this unique experiment we have discovered that coke cola rots teeth the fastest. Apple juice came 2nd because Apple juice has natural sugars which rot teeth.