Dental enamel is designed to be strong, resilient, and fairly non-porous. However, dental enamel isn’t indestructible! The more you can do to preserve the strength and health of your enamel, the more you will help your smile in the long-term. So, today, our Saint Louis dentists are sharing information about how and why dental enamel thins. We hope that this information empowers you to make healthy decisions for your smile.
Acidic Substances
You may have already heard about acid erosion—there are an increasing number of products on the market that are designed to combat this dental health problems. Your dental enamel may start to erode prematurely if it is consistently exposed to acidic foods and drinks. Many very popular foods and beverages are considered acidic: coffee, wine, soft drinks, citrus fruits, fruit juices, and more. Try rinsing your mouth with water after exposing your teeth to acid, and make sure to wait at least 20 to 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consumption, as your enamel will be softer.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a surprisingly common oral health problem, characterized by chronic dental grinding and clenching. The pressure that bruxism—tooth on tooth—pressure puts on your dental enamel will cause it to thin, and develop small cracks and chips over time. You may, as a result, become more prone to developing cavities as well as dental sensitivity. If you find that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, talk to your dentist about things that you can minimize your dental grinding, and to protect your smile from damage.
As always, our Saint Louis dentist are here to help you make the best decisions for your teeth, so that you can protect the integrity of your smile for years to come. Please reach out to our dental team by phone or through the Contact Us page on our website to get started!