It’s time for a pop quiz! What’s the hardest substance in the human body? If you answered “bones,” sorry! The correct answer is enamel! Because tooth enamel is 96% mineral, it’s stronger than bones, which are composed of living, soft tissue. But although enamel is tougher than bone, it isn’t indestructible — and it can’t be regenerated once gone. Tooth enamel is lost through the process of erosion. This occurs over time, typically first becoming apparent during middle age. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your enamel to prevent or significantly slow erosion — thereby helping to prevent dental decay and keep your smile bright!
What Are the Signs of Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Because erosion is a slow process, you may not be aware of changes that you experience as signs and symptoms of worn tooth enamel. Watch out for the following, as outlined by Golden State Dentistry and WebMD:
Sensitivity — If your enamel is wearing away, you may notice pain or sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and food. Eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee may be unpleasant. In advanced stages of erosion, teeth become extremely sensitive to temperatures and sweets.
Discoloration — When enamel wears away, the layer underneath called dentin becomes visible. Dentin naturally has a yellowish tone; thus, your teeth may appear more yellow. As our blog post — “How Your Smile Can Make You Look Younger” — covers, the gradual wearing away of enamel is the primary culprit of yellowish teeth in people who are middle-age-plus. For this reason, it’s imperative to consult with your dentist about the cause of your tooth discoloration and not take it upon yourself to buy an over-the-counter whitening product. You could do far more harm by damaging your remaining enamel!
Chips and cracks — When your enamel wears away, your teeth become weaker and more vulnerable to chips and cracks from biting and chewing.
Cupping — Indentations appear on the surface of the teeth where you bite and chew.
Smooth, shiny surfaces on the teeth — This is an indication of mineral loss.
Leading Causes of Tooth Enamel Erosion
Eating and drinking foods and beverages that are high in sugar and acid are leading causes of enamel erosion. As Colgate points out, saliva works to neutralize acids in your mouth, but specific diets, oral hygiene habits and medical conditions can make it hard for your saliva to keep up. The foods and beverages you consume tend to be the main culprit of this acid production. These include:
- Sugary foods (like candy or fruit juice).
- Starchy foods (like bread or potatoes).
- Acidic foods (like soda or citrus fruits).
A diet high in these foods combined with poor oral hygiene can put your enamel at risk. Keep in mind that although this blog posts focuses on enamel erosion, these foods also feed the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
Other causes for tooth erosion include:
- Teeth grinding or bruxism.
- Brushing your teeth too hard.
- Chronic acid reflux (GERD).
- Low salivary flow or xerostomia.
- Medications (like aspirin).
- Eating disorders (like bulimia).
Moreover, bad habits — such as biting your nails and using your teeth as tools — contribute to enamel erosion, as well cause immediate damage, including cracking and chipping teeth. Our blog post — “12 Bad Habits That Damage Your Teeth” — covers this topic in detail.
Can Tooth Enamel Erosion be Treated?
As mentioned earlier, tooth enamel cannot be restored. However, it is possible to strengthen and repair existing enamel. This happens through a process called remineralization, which naturally occurs when essential minerals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate reunite with your enamel. Colgate recommends the following steps to assist the remineralization process:
Maintain a proper saliva pH — Because saliva plays such a vital role in maintaining your mouth’s pH, it’s important to make sure you’re producing saliva. One common technique is to swish water in your mouth after eating and drinking. Chewing sugar-free gum and sucking on sugar-free candies can also promote saliva production.
Use fluoride toothpaste — Fluoride is one of the most common and effective methods in preventing demineralization.
Floss daily — Flossing helps eliminate hard-to-reach food in your mouth, which can be a cause of bacteria that weakens your enamel.
Add probiotics to your diet — Probiotics, or “good bacteria” like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are typically present in dairy products like yogurt and can also be taken as supplements. Probiotics have been shown to reduce bacteria in your mouth, thus aiding in cavity prevention and other oral diseases, as well as preventing the demineralization of your enamel.
Avoid foods high in sugar, carbohydrates, and acidic foods —Sugary foods and drinks (both diet and regular) can compromise your enamel health, typically by leaving cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth, which can attack your enamel.
Drink water — Staying hydrated by drinking water can help prevent dry mouth and acidity in the body, both of which can contribute to tooth decay. Drinking water also helps prevent plaque from building up and can wash away food particles and debris. Water may increase saliva production, and saliva contains minerals that can help prevent and reverse early decay by remineralizing teeth. Some medications and treatments can contribute to dry mouth. Be sure to check with your doctor if you are experiencing this.
Talk to your dentist — Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to identify cavities or spots in your mouth that lack enamel strength, and if caught early, may recommend or prescribe a fluoride treatment.
Making these steps part of not only your oral hygiene routine but your lifestyle can help you strengthen your remaining enamel. If erosion is already advanced, your dentist may recommend one of the following restorations to protect your teeth from further enamel loss — as well as improve their function and appearance:
Veneers — Comprised of thin, wafer-like porcelain shells that are custom-shaped and bonded to the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance and correct noticeable flaws, veneers are one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry. However, a thin layer of enamel must be removed in order for the veneer to adhere. Those with advanced enamel erosion may not be a good candidate for this type of restoration.
Composite bonding — A composite tooth-colored resin is sculpted, shaped, polished and adhered to the front of the teeth. Bonding does not require removal of any enamel, making this a good option for those with insufficient enamel for veneers.
Dental crowns — Unlike veneers, a crown covers the entire tooth down to the gumline. This requires the tooth to be significantly ground down, meaning that it can never again be without a crown. However, crowns may be the recommended solution — especially for those with damaged teeth — as they have the appearance of strong, healthy teeth and can last for 10 to 15 years with proper care, if not longer.
The Take-Home Message
Tooth enamel erosion is a gradual, insidious process that may go unnoticed until at an advanced stage if you’re not aware of its signs and symptoms. Although enamel cannot be restored, knowing how erosion occurs and how it can be prevented or significantly slowed will help you maintain optimum oral health and a bright smile. If enamel erosion is already advanced, your dentist can recommend a restoration that’s appropriate for your situation.
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs.
Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
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