How to fix enamel on teeth

Enamel is the strongest tissue in the human body – even stronger than bone. As the translucent outer layer of your teeth, enamel protects from harsh chemicals and temperatures. 

Your enamel also protects your teeth during daily activities when you’re biting, chewing, and crunching foods; if you grind your teeth at night, your enamel protects your teeth and gums from that impact as well. 

However, tooth enamel is not indestructible. 

What is Tooth Enamel Erosion?

Enamel erosion occurs when acids slowly wear away the enamel on your teeth. This is a problem since enamel does not have living cells to allow your body to regenerate it. So, once your enamel is eroded, cracked, or damaged in any way, the only way to restore the protection it offered to your teeth is with some kind of dental procedure.

That’s why it’s best to be aware of the causes of tooth enamel erosion to avoid losing that natural protection if at all possible.

Common Causes of Tooth Enamel Erosion

In order to avoid tooth enamel erosion and any other kind of tooth enamel damage, it’s important to understand the various substances and situations that can cause these problems to occur. 

Sometimes, tooth enamel erosion happens because of a genetic disposition to weak enamel or acidic types of plaque build-up. However, enamel damage can also be prevented by avoiding certain foods, drinks, and habits.

Acid Erosion

Various substances can create erosion because of their acidic quality. In these cases, avoiding too much exposure to the substance is the best way to prevent tooth enamel erosion.

Some of the substances that lead to tooth enamel erosion include:

• Fruity drinks, which are highly acidic and high in sugar
• Sugary and starchy foods like syrups and white bread
• Soft drinks, which are high in citric and phosphoric acids and in sugar
• Excessive amounts of vitamin C
• Medications like antihistamines and aspirin

Environmental Erosion

Sometimes, tooth enamel erosion occurs because of a situation in your environment, or a harmful habit. These can include: 

• Dry mouth, or low saliva production
• Gastrointestinal issues or acid reflux
• Clenching or grinding teeth
• Brushing too hard or improper flossing
• Biting hard objects
• Frequent vomiting
• Plaque buildup from improper dental hygiene

How to Fix Tooth Enamel Erosion

As previously mentioned, tooth enamel cannot repair itself. So, if your enamel has already begun to erode, you cannot reverse that process. But you can prevent it from getting any worse. 

Prevention

The best way to fix enamel erosion is to prevent it from happening in the first place by taking good care of your teeth with proper brushing and flossing and by visiting the dentist regularly for dental cleanings. 

You can also try to avoid acidic foods and substances that could erode your teeth and address any habits you might have that could cause your tooth enamel to erode.

Enamel erosion occurs over time, so if you do visit your dentist regularly, they should be able to diagnose and treat erosion early, once they first notice the signs.

Dental Treatments

If you’re experiencing the earlier signs of enamel erosion, your dentist might suggest dental bonding. This is a relatively conservative restorative procedure in which your dentist will place a tooth-colored resin on your teeth that will then bond with your teeth and serve the protective purpose that your enamel served before it began to erode.

However, dental bonding can stain and is not as strong as other, usually more expensive procedures. 

If your enamel is too eroded or if your teeth have cracked or broken as a result of enamel erosion, you might need a more drastic treatment to fix it. Several different types of cosmetic dental procedures address issues that occur from damaged enamel, like dental crowns, bridges, or veneers.

These options utilize a substance like porcelain, which is designed to match the color of your teeth, to cover the damaged tooth or teeth and serve as a replacement for the enamel that has been damaged.

To find out which treatment is right for you, visit your dentist. They should be able to work out a treatment that will be cost-effective for you while also providing a long-term solution for enamel erosion and any other issues you might be experiencing.

It is important to repair tooth enamel in a timely manner after tooth enamel has become weakened. Otherwise, enamel erosion can progress quickly and lead to cavities.

Fortunately, there are ways to repair tooth enamel and restore the strength and health of a tooth completely.

Repairing tooth enamel

In order to properly restore tooth enamel, proper care techniques must be in place and a daily care routine must be administered on a consistent basis.

The following are five useful tips when attempting to repair tooth enamel.

#1 Practice good oral hygiene

First and foremost, it is important to practice good oral hygiene in order to repair tooth enamel that has been damaged. Practicing good oral hygiene means brushing several times each day and flossing and using mouthwash daily.

It is important to brush in a proper manner as well. This means ensuring all areas of the mouth, not just the teeth, are thoroughly covered. The key to good oral hygiene is to remain consistent and avoid missing any routine brushings.

#2 Avoid harmful foods and drinks

There are various food types that pose a greater threat to the health of tooth enamel than others. These include foods high in sugar, carbonated beverages and caffeine.

It is especially important to limit the intake of harmful foods and drinks when working to repair tooth enamel. Completely eliminating your morning cup of coffee may not be realistic, but you can ensure good oral hygiene is administered. You are also able to repair tooth enamel by brushing after each cup of coffee or meal consumed.

#3 Use fluoride treatment

Fluoride is very beneficial when working to repair tooth enamel. Fluoride helps strengthen the minerals found in enamel. This helps enamel resist erosion attacks caused by bacteria and harmful substances found in foods.

By simply choosing a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, it becomes easier to repair tooth enamel. But, a stronger fluoride treatment may be needed in some instances. Be sure to talk to a dentist about fluoride treatment in order to repair tooth enamel that has been damaged.

#4 Stop teeth grinding

Many who grind their teeth suffer from weakened or damaged enamel. It can be difficult to recognize teeth grinding happens as it most commonly occurs while one is asleep.

However, it is important to check for signs of teeth grinding and talk to a dentist if the effects of teeth grinding are present. This is especially true when working to repair tooth enamel as teeth grinding can drastically make the problem worse if left untreated.

#5 Visit the dentist regularly

The dentist is perhaps the most useful asset when working to repair tooth enamel. By visiting the dentist regularly, you are able to repair tooth enamel that has already been damaged to full health and ensure no further damage occurs after the tooth enamel is repaired.

If you suffer from enamel damage and want to learn more about various ways to repair tooth enamel, contact us and schedule a time to come in for a visit, and we can help you achieve a healthier set of teeth.

5 Ways Veneers Can Transform Your Smile

It’s amazing how much your smile can affect your confidence, but it can be hard to feel radiant if you have problems with your teeth. For minor tooth imperfections — such as stains, chips, or gaps — veneers could be the solution for you.

How to Handle 4 Common Dental Emergencies

Health emergencies can occur at any time. That includes those that endanger your teeth and gums. Knowing how to handle the most common dental emergencies can make the difference between losing and saving a tooth. Read on to learn more.

8 Common Habits That Can Ruin Your Teeth

Everybody loves a beautiful smile, especially when it’s your own! If you feel like your smile isn’t what it could be, you might have some bad habits that are ruining the quality, function, and luster of your teeth.

Why You Should Consider Dental Veneers

If you’re self-conscious about your smile, dental veneers may be just the solution to give you the confidence you need. Read on to find out if they would be a good fit for you.