Tooth enamel is a crystal-like mineral that covers the inner parts of the teeth. Its natural colour varies from light yellow to gray or blue-like white. Since it is a semi-translucent material, its overall appearance can be affected by the colour of the dentin, the inner area of the tooth.
As the first line of defense, the enamel protects your teeth against different chemical agents from the foods and drinks we consumed, making them more susceptible to wear and tear. Eventually, exposure to acids results in enamel erosion.
Since the tooth enamel does not have living cells, you may not be entirely aware of its effects until you notice tooth cavities. Acid erosion slowly breaks down and demineralizes the enamel. Unfortunately, enamel does not grow back.
Causes of Tooth Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion is a progressive dental condition caused by physical wear and chemical substances. The pH level of enamel is around 5.5. The saliva helps neutralize the acids and maintain the right level of pH in your mouth.
When the teeth constantly come in contact with acids, it dissolves the mineral in your tooth, resulting in enamel erosion. There are many ways acid is introduced into your mouth. Factors both extrinsic and intrinsic can lead to eroded teeth.
Extrinsic Causes
Extrinsic causes of tooth erosion are acids introduced via external sources. Eating habits, lifestyle, or occupational factors can expose teeth to acid, contributing to the gradual degradation of the enamel.
Here are several external sources responsible for enamel erosion:
- Beverages With Low pH Value – Fruit juices and carbonated soft drinks have pH levels as low as 2.0 to 3.5. Frequent consumption of these beverages introduces high amounts of acidic substances in your mouth, causing the protective layer of your teeth to become weak and increasing the risk of dental erosion.
- Certain Lifestyles – Athletes who frequently consume sports drinks after intense physical activities are also at high risk of enamel damage. Dehydration and low salivary production are also contributing factors.
- Occupational Hazards – People working in factories, particularly in the battery, munitions, and fertilizer plants, are more susceptible to dental erosion. Swimmers who spend at least 6 hours a week in chlorinated water are also more likely to develop swimmer’s calculus, which yellows teeth.
- Medicine Intake – Medicines are naturally acidic. Chewing them or coming in contact with them could potentially result in the erosion of the enamel. Taking medicines containing ascorbic acid or hydrochloride can make you prone to dental erosion.
Intrinsic Causes
The cause of enamel erosion is intrinsic if the source of acid comes from the inside of the body. This includes medical conditions like:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – GERD is a digestive disorder that causes stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus, irritating the lining of the esophagus. While regurgitation usually occurs after eating, people with GERD suffer from constant regurgitation, even during the night. Gastric juices flow and drench the posterior teeth, washing away its outer layer. Stomach acids can reduce healthy saliva pH levels to critical levels. With pH levels less than 2.0, the gastric acid can quickly dissolve the hydroxyapatite crystals of the tooth. Pregnancy and obesity also cause intra-abdominal pressure, which increases acid reflux in the mouth.
- Bulimia – Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-induced vomiting after binge-eating. This eating disorder is more prevalent in women who want to lose or maintain a desired weight. Enamel loss usually occurs on the lingual-palatal aspect of the anterior maxillary teeth.
- Alcoholism – Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause frequent episodes of vomiting; thus increasing reflux of acid from the stomach. Moreover, the risk of enamel loss increases when an individual who consumes high quantities of alcohol drink other acidic beverages.
Signs of Enamel Erosion
The symptoms of enamel loss may depend on the stage of the erosion. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Tooth Pain or Sensitivity – You may feel a painful sensation when consuming sweet food or drinking hot and cold beverages. This usually indicates an early sign of your teeth losing their enamel.
- Discolouration – The yellowish colour of the teeth is due to the exposed dentin.
- Cracks and Dents – When the enamel in teeth starts to wear, it could result in cracks and small dents along the chewing surface.
- Misshapen Teeth – Grooves may appear on the surface of the tooth.
When your teeth start to erode, it becomes prone to dental caries. As caries progress, the erosion reaches the tooth roots, causing severe pain. Untreated caries could lead to tooth infection (dental abscess) and tooth decay.
Prevention and Repair
The best way to protect your enamel from wear is to avoid the factors that cause the problem in the first place. Although your teeth gradually lose enamel with age, you can still prevent it from getting worse by practicing good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste helps in remineralizing the teeth. Also, make sure to floss your teeth daily to get rid of the food particles stuck between your teeth. Acid-producing bacteria feed on the small pieces of food left in your mouth.
While complete restoration is not possible, a dentist can help repair your tooth enamel. If you think you have symptoms associated with significant loss of enamel, a dentist can treat the problem and give you some helpful tips to minimize its effects. The dentist may recommend tooth bonding, a procedure in which a tooth-coloured resin is bonded on the damaged tooth. This helps hide the discolouration and protect your tooth from further damage. In more severe cases, the cosmetic dentist may consider adding a dental veneer or crown to the damaged tooth to prevent decay.
Regular visits to a trusted dentist in Brampton ensures that your teeth are in good condition. If you are looking for a reliable dental clinic to care for you and your family’s dental health, visit Springdale Dental Centre. We offer comprehensive services from children’s dentistry to root canal therapy. Whatever dental care you need, our team is just one call away.
Give us a call at (905) 458-1212 to request an appointment. We are looking forward to taking care of your dental health.
