When the outer covering of tooth wears off due to various reasons other than caries that includes; habits, acid that might be in your daily diet or due to gastric reflux , medicines or dry mouth
Causes :
Reasons why the tooth gets eroded
Attrition due to clenching
Abrasion due to vigorous brushing , improper flossing or use of toothpicks or pencil biting
Abfraction due to fracture or trauma to tooth
In this situation we need to know the real cause of erosion of teeth
Patient’s medical history plays a vital role in a case where there has been a history of gastric reflux (GERD) or patient has been on medication like aspirin or antacids
Patients with eating disorders like in bulimia eating and vomiting food out acid is source of erosion in such cases
Plaque and Erosion :
Accumulation of plaque around tooth contains bacteria that at times converts the food starch into acid that causes enamel to wear off.
Signs of Erosion :
The complains with which patients come up with are
Sensitivity; complain of cold and heat sensitivity
Discoloration; As the enamel wears off dentin actually is responsible for color so eroded tooth appears as yellow to brown Change in shape/structure of teeth or cracking of tooth
Pitted enamel; the erosion appears as pits at the start as there is decrease in the mineral content of tooth
Cavities; pits if left unaddressed can lead to cavitation
HOW TO PREVENT ENAMEL LOSS ???
It can be prevented by Oral hygiene modification Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste , flossing and mouthwash (as prescribed by your dentist)
Dietary modification
- limit use of citric acid (lemon and other citrus fruits )
- less use of acetic acid; vinegar
- use of straws while drinking carbonated drinks as there would be less contact with teeth
- Use of sugar free gums as it increases the saliva which acts as a supply of minerals to teeth
Dental Checkup
Go see a dentist whenever you notice these symptoms
Do show compliance in following your dentist’s instructions
At Dental Aesthetics we address your concerns by actually giving you the best possible treatment with modifications of diet and our goal is to remove the root cause of tooth damage
Patient’s history plays a vital role which involves
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Social habits
If patient is not aware of the fact that tooth erosion has already in oral cavity our team of dentists actually inform their patients and provide with the solution and how to stop it
Counselling the patient is very critical and it actually help the patient understand the process of erosion and how to stop it
Treatment options:
- Use of Sealants in case of pitting in enamel
- Composite fillings in case of cavitation
- Veneers or crown to protect the tooth from further erosion
If you notice any of these symptoms do not wait up and book an appointment for consultation
