Tooth Enamel Erosion – Causes, Symptoms & Prevention Measures

The outer layer of your teeth consists of enamel, a substance that protects against physical and chemical damage. Tooth enamel is very tough. In fact, it’s the hardest tissue in the human body — even tougher than bone. Enamel is the first defence for your teeth against the many different chemicals they’re exposed to from food and bodily fluids. As a result, it can be prone to wear and tear. This is referred to as enamel erosion.

Causes of enamel erosion

One of the main causes of enamel erosion is acids found in the foods and liquids you consume. Saliva constantly neutralizes acid in your mouth to protect your teeth. But if you eat too much acidic food and drink and don’t properly brush your teeth, the outer layer of enamel will degrade over time.

Enamel erosion can be caused by what you eat, particularly:

• sugary foods, such as ice cream, syrups, and caramel
• starchy foods, such as white breads
• acidic foods, such as apples, citrus fruits, berries, and rhubarb
• fruit drinks and juices
• sodas, which typically contain damaging citric acid and phosphoric acid in addition to sugar
• excess vitamin C, found in citrus fruits

Other causes of enamel erosion include:

• teeth grinding
• chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• low salivary flow, also known as xerostomia, which is a symptom of conditions such as diabetes
• regular use of certain medications, such as antihistamines and aspirin
• eating disorders like bulimia, which disrupts the digestive system and exposes teeth to stomach acid.

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Enamel Loss

Tooth enamel loss is not always obvious, but some possible signs of damage to the tooth enamel include:

• Shape and Colour: If your teeth look yellow or especially shiny, you may be experiencing tooth enamel loss.
• Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods may be an early sign of tooth enamel loss. Later stages of tooth enamel loss can cause more extreme sensitivity. For fast sensitivity relief, try brushing with Crest Gum and Sensitivity Toothpaste. Its unique formula targets the root cause of sensitivity by treating the gum line for immediate relief.
• Roughness: If your teeth are becoming rough around the edges, you may be experiencing early stages of tooth enamel loss. In addition, indentations on the surface of the teeth can indicate tooth enamel loss.

Preventive Measures

Although tooth enamel cannot be rebuilt, you can prevent enamel loss from acid erosion with a good oral care routine. You can reduce your risk for tooth enamel erosion by keeping acidic foods to a minimum. If you drink carbonated drinks or fruit juice, use a straw to minimize the drink’s contact with your teeth or drink them with meals. Chewing sugar-free gum helps by encouraging your mouth to produce more saliva to help the teeth recover from exposure to excess acid.

If you’ve experienced significant enamel erosion, a dentist can help you with a few techniques. The first is called tooth bonding. Bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured material known as resin is applied to stained or damaged teeth. The resin can cover up discolorations and protect your tooth. You may want to consider tooth bonding if enamel erosion has caused discolorations on your front teeth.