Dental Erosion- What's Eating Away At Your Tooth Structure?

Dental erosion refers to the permanent loss of the protective enamel on the teeth

, which occurs when the enamel is worn away by acids in the mouth, leading to cracks, discoloration and hypersensitivity. Your enamel is the important, protective outer layer of the tooth that helps preserve the natural tooth structure and prevent decay. What's the cause of erosion? In many cases, it's what people are drinking and how frequently they are drinking it.

Soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and fruit juices are all highly acidic. Regular exposure and consumption causes the enamel to thin and weaken. In other words, the popular beverages we drink everyday are dissolving our teeth! Usually saliva is sufficient to help re-strengthen your teeth after drinking an acidic drink, but when the teeth are exposed to a lot of acid, there isn't time for the salvia to remineralize the enamel, thus eroding the teeth.

Signs of Tooth Erosion

If you drink soda, energy drinks, juices or sports drinks on a regular basis, its important that you understand the warning signs of dental erosion. The most common symptoms of erosion include increased sensitivity to hot and cold as enamel is worn away.

Discoloration is also a common sign of erosion. The thinning enamel exposes the underlying dentin, causing teeth to look yellow. Small cracks may appear on the chewing surface of the teeth and increased transparency near the biting edges may occur.

Putting an End to Dental Erosion

The most obvious way to prevent tooth erosion is to drink sodas and other acidic beverages in moderation. If you can't skip your morning orange juice, drink the beverage all at once rather than sipping on it. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after consumption. Opting for milk or water is always the best choice to help preserve dental enamel and protect teeth from decay.

Other tips for preventing dental erosion include:

*Use a straw to push the liquid to the back of your mouth rather than letting it linger

*Chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow

*Do not brush teeth for at least one hour following consumption of highly acidic drinks as softened enamel is susceptible to the abrasiveness of brushing

*Rinse with water following consumption of acidic foods or drinks to neutralize the acids

*Brush with a soft bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that contains fluoride

*Visit your dentist regularly for check ups and cleanings

Sipping your favorite soft drink or energy drink may recharge your body and mind, but these drinks may be causing irreversible damage to your enamel. Next time you go to reach for a soft drink, think about its effect on your teeth and consider water or a more tooth friendly beverage instead.

by: Gen Wright

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