Dental erosion occurs when acids dissolve away part of the enamel surface of your teeth. It is usually caused by acidic drinks or medicines, excessive vomiting or acid reflux. Erosion is not caused by bacteria, so it is different to tooth decay. Dental erosion can occur at any age.
Acid is the main cause of the loss of tooth enamel. It eats away at the enamel over time, leaving the tooth without protection. Food and drinks are the most common causes of tooth enamel loss, but there are other issues that can contribute to high acid production, including: Dry mouth.
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
Phosphorus plays a critical role in dental health because it can naturally help protect and help rebuild tooth enamel. The best sources of phosphorus can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
Vitamin D plays a key role in bone and tooth mineralization, and when levels are unregulated it can lead to the “rachitic tooth”, which is a defective and hypomineralized organ highly susceptible to fracture and decay [35,36].
Coffee, like any drink other than water, increases your risk of developing cavities. Because it introduces bacteria and acids into your mouth, coffee can also erode tooth enamel causing sensitivity and brittle teeth over time.
One of the earliest signs of enamel erosion is sensitivity. You may notice pain or discomfort when eating something sweet, hot or cold. This is because as the enamel erodes away the more sensitive dentin is exposed. Another symptom is a change in the color of your teeth.
Tooth enamel tends to wear away with aging, making the teeth vulnerable to damage and decay. Tooth loss is the major reason that older people cannot chew as well and thus may not consume enough nutrients.
Acids from foods and bacteria eat away at enamel causing erosion, the shrinking of tooth size, and cavities. This is the same for drinks like sodas, sweet teas, and wine. 2. Dentin, the hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel, is what makes enamel seem white.
Tooth enamel is incredibly durable. In fact, it's the hardest substance in your body — even harder than your bones. Even though enamel is strong, it can break down over time. Dental plaque, acids from the foods you eat and bacteria in your mouth can all contribute to enamel damage.
This is because teeth can become translucent due to the effects of enamel erosion, which is a slow, gradual process. As the enamel wears down and becomes thinner, it begins to lose its natural color. This allows the underlying dentin layer to show through.
A white spot may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay. Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources.
As such, no matter how hard the enamel is, it can corrode, erode, and wear away over time. Enamel loss is one of the main causes of tooth sensitivity and eventually, dental decay. When this occurs, your gums will become more susceptible to gum disease.
Still, the major erosion culprit is soft drinks, especially soda and sports drinks. Even if they are sugar-free, they are more likely to be acidic thanks to carbonation. That bubbly fizz raises the acid level of any drink, regardless of its flavor.
Highly acidic drinks damage tooth enamel. The most acidic drinks are sugar-sweetened ones. Soft drinks (including diet soda), sports drinks and energy drinks, and iced and sweet teas all contain high levels of acid that contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. Even 100% fruit juices are acidic.
The mealtime beverage also helps to wash away food particles on teeth. The best beverage choices include water (especially fluoridated water) and unsweetened tea. Limit your consumption of sugar-containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar.
No surprises here — calcium is well known to be great for your teeth. Throughout the body, calcium helps build bones and provide structural support. In your mouth, this mineral helps harden your tooth enamel and strengthen your jawbone.
Vitamin B12 helps to form red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues in your mouth. It also helps to break down homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage tooth enamel. A lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to bad breath, mouth ulcers, and the detachment of the connective tissues supporting your teeth.
Magnesium is a fantastic mineral for overall health, and it plays a critical role in building strong teeth and bones. Magnesium helps the body absorb calcium, which is critical to building strong teeth and tooth enamel. You can find magnesium in nuts, whole grains, beans, seeds and dark leafy vegetables.
Magnesium and calcium work together and complement each other in their efforts to build hard tooth enamel and maintain bone density. Ideally, you should receive a two-to-one ratio of calcium to magnesium every day.