Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. Unfortunately, it can't be re-cultivated artificially either, not even with those special toothpastes. As mentioned earlier, once the enamel is lost, it cannot be replaced. However, weakened enamel can be recovered through a process called remineralization, which replaces minerals lost in the enamel and strengthens it once again.
Fluoride products, such as fluoride toothpaste and foods high in calcium, are great for aiding remineralization. Fluoride acts as a barrier between teeth and destructive substances such as sugars, starches and acids, protecting weakened enamel and teeth. For specific tips based on enamel loss, be sure to talk to your dentist about the best solution for you and your teeth. While tooth enamel cannot regenerate or repair itself, there are approaches that can help prevent and treat enamel loss.
Take a look at five methods recommended by dentists to help protect and treat tooth enamel. Enamel is the thin outer layer of material that covers the part of the teeth outside the gums. Poor eating habits, an unhealthy oral care routine, and other factors can weaken and damage enamel. Once damaged, tooth enamel cannot be repaired.
Tooth enamel is the tough, white, mineral surface that covers and protects the crown of your tooth. It's the hardest tissue in the body, stronger than bone, and helps shield teeth from painful temperatures and chemicals.
Over time, acidic foods and drinks can dissolve the minerals in your enamel. These acids can wear down your tooth enamel, leading to weak and fragile teeth.
Preventive Care
Enamel is the hard, protective layer of your teeth that keeps out harmful bacteria and tooth decay. However, enamel can become weakened by environmental factors and oral habits.
It’s important to know what is causing your enamel to wear away so you can take action. Once it erodes, it cannot be replaced by the body and you will likely need fillings or a crown to keep it intact.
Eating a balanced diet, using fluoride toothpaste and supplemental fluoride treatments in your dentist’s office are key preventive actions that can help strengthen your tooth enamel. You can also reduce the risk of erosion by saving acidic foods and drinks for mealtimes and washing them down with water.
Sodas, fruit drinks, cordials and juices are high in both sugar and acid and can cause serious damage to your teeth. Try to drink these beverages in small amounts throughout the day and avoid swishing them around in your mouth.
Minimally Invasive Treatments
If your enamel is thin, a few minimally invasive treatments may be able to fix it. These include remineralization therapy, air abrasion, inlays and onlays, bite splints, and dental sealants.
One of the newest minimally invasive dentistry techniques is resin infiltration. This technique uses a special resin that is infused into early caries lesions to stop them before they become visible cavities.
In this procedure, a dentist molds a tooth-colored composite resin to mask or patch the damaged area. The material is then shaded to match the patient’s other teeth and hardened with a strong ultraviolet light.
In addition to its aesthetic benefits, the procedure also can help restore healthy tooth structure. It’s a good option for patients with tooth structure loss, such as from an enamel hypoplasia condition called congenital enamel hypoplasia.
Restorative Treatments
If your teeth have started to show signs of enamel loss, such as sensitivity or changes in color or shape, you might be wondering whether there’s a way to fix it. The good news is that there are restorative treatments available, including dental crowns and veneers.
Depending on the extent of your enamel damage, a dentist will determine which treatment is best for you. Your dentist in Grapevine can also help you prevent future tooth enamel erosion by teaching you the proper ways to care for your smile and your teeth.
Preventing dental erosion starts with maintaining good oral hygiene habits, avoiding acidic foods and drinks, and scheduling regular visits to the dentist. Additionally, certain medications can dry out the mouth and make it more susceptible to enamel erosion. Other health conditions can also cause tooth enamel to wear away, such as eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. These conditions can also lead to depletion of calcium, a mineral that is essential for strong teeth.
Dental Crowns
When a tooth has significant enamel loss, the dentist may recommend crowns as a way to protect it from further damage. Dental crowns are shaped and molded to fit over your tooth, restoring its size, shape and strength.
They can also be used to restore teeth that are too weakened or worn down to support filling material. Alternatively, your dentist might suggest veneers to improve discolouration or fix a chipped or cracked tooth.
Most crowns are made from a mix of pure metals called alloys. These blends of metals contain the ideal physical properties to perform well in dental applications, which helps promote their longevity.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a popular choice. These blend the best qualities of metal and porcelain, making them strong but with a more natural aesthetic appearance than metal crowns.
The longevity of a crown depends on how it is placed and how you care for it. Good oral hygiene at home and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and exams can help promote the lifespan of your crowns. Avoiding heavy forces like clenching and grinding your teeth can also lengthen the life of your dental crowns.
However, weakened enamel can be repaired. Reduce the frequency of consumption of carbonated beverages and fruit juices. Using a mouthwash that combats enamel loss can also be a great addition to this routine and will provide additional protection throughout the day. However, despite their strength, certain foods and beverages or years of general wear and tear can cause enamel loss.
You may not even notice that the enamel on your teeth has worn out, so here are some things to pay attention to and what you can do to prevent enamel loss. Learn more about the causes of tooth enamel damage, how to identify enamel loss, and the recommended treatment approaches below. For mouths with advanced enamel loss, artificial teeth can be installed as a solution to prevent further decay in the teeth, gums and the general structure of the jaw. Because enamel protects the inside of the tooth, without it, teeth would deteriorate and deteriorate very quickly, leading to oral pain, tooth loss, infection and probably gum disease.
That's why it's so important to brush your teeth properly and floss at least twice a day to ensure that these harmful substances don't stay in contact with tooth enamel for too long. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is the easiest and most effective daily prevention method to combat and prevent enamel loss. Enamel can wear away for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common causes of tooth enamel loss is erosion caused by acidic foods and beverages. Enamel loss can occur in several ways, including discoloration, sensitivity when consuming cold or hot foods and beverages, and teeth that break or break more easily.
If you're looking for a dentist who specializes in enamel loss and its solutions, check out 123Dentist's list of dental professionals to find your perfect option. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms or suspect that you are suffering from enamel loss, report it to your dentist so that they can address the problem right away before it progresses.
