One increasingly common problem that dentists in the UK are seeing on a regular basis is that of eroded tooth enamel. This isn’t something that happens suddenly, like a broken tooth, but can take months or even years to become noticeable. Once it does happen though, there is little or no protection left for the tooth and not only will the patient likely experience sensitive teeth, but it makes issues like tooth decay and root canal problems more likely to occur.
Before we look at how we can resolve the problem though, it is worth taking a look at what causes it and how you can help to avoid it by making a few small changes in your daily life.
As the name suggests, this occurs as the enamel on our teeth is gradually worn away, leaving the softer inner part of the tooth more exposed.
One of the most common causes in this modern age that we see at Blake Dental in Witham is the rise in sugary and carbonated drinks, especially the ‘energy’ or ‘sports’ drinks. Not only are these packed with sugar but they are usually very acidic too. It is the acid that gradually wears the enamel down over a period of time, more quickly in the case of those who drink these regularly. The best way to prevent this, of course, is to avoid or at least minimise consumption of them. Drinking through a straw may also help as this will enable the liquid to have minimal contact with the teeth. Too many citric fruits can also have the same effect.
It isn’t just what we eat though, it is how we eat. Modern food consumption increasingly is moving away from the ‘3 meals a day’ of past generations and more and more people now snack or graze throughout the day. What most people don’t realise though is that when we have eaten something, our tooth enamel softens and then remineralises over time to restore the tooth enamel again. Because we now often snack or graze almost constantly, our teeth are not being given the opportunity for this to happen and this may be another significant cause of worn tooth enamel.
Ironically, perhaps, sometimes people who really focus on their tooth health can fall victim to this problem through overbrushing their teeth. We do need to brush our teeth well, of course, but brushing too hard or for too long will actually wear down the enamel and cause it to erode, leaving our teeth at risk; the opposite of what was intended. There is no need to brush too hard. Using an electric toothbrush will help too as many of these cut out temporarily if too much pressure is applied.
Taking action to avoid the things that we have just mentioned means that you will have a good chance of avoiding this particular problem. You should also make sure to maintain regular dental check up appointments with our Witham dentists and also our hygienists too. What can we do to help those to whom this has already happened though; those who are suffering from sensitive teeth for example? There are three treatments available that can help.
One of the most straightforward ways to restore teeth affected in this way is to apply composite bonding to the affected teeth. This can then be shaped to make it look more natural. This will be effective at least for some time but does not have the longevity of other methods. Because composite bonding is porous, it can also stain, so while it can certainly be useful, other options might be explored instead. It can be a great way to quickly restore teeth though, especially for cosmetic purposes and works well for many people.
One of the most effective ways of treating this problem once it has already occurred is to fit porcelain dental veneers to the affected teeth. In most cases this will involve the removal of a fine layer from the front of the tooth before taking impressions to enable the veneers to be made. These are then fitted to the teeth using a special dental adhesive. We will then finally trim and polish them to give them a natural appearance.
As porcelain is a non porous material, not only will these offer excellent protection from problems like tooth sensitivity but are also very stain resistant too. For this reason, they are often used in cosmetic dentistry for those looking to improve their smile, especially in cases where teeth are more heavily stained or discoloured.
Where erosion is really extensive, it may be better to have crowns fitted to fully protect the tooth. While this is less commonly used for this purpose and more to restore broken or badly decayed teeth, they may still have a role to play in some cases. We will discuss all options with you following your examination.
Tooth enamel erosion is becoming a more common problem and much of it can be prevented. For further advice on this or to discuss possible treatments if you already have sensitive teeth, please call Blake Dental today to arrange an appointment on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
