Part 2 of a 2-part Discussion About Tooth Enamel
As was discussed in a recent article, some problems with our tooth enamel are caused by what we eat and drink. Stained teeth and tooth sensitivity are often caused by the things we consume. Other behaviors also cause damage to our tooth enamel, however, and should be controlled if you want to avoid extra trips to Lakeside Dental in Folsom.
Brushing Too Hard
You might think a good tooth cleaning comes from a strong brush. The opposite is true. Aggressive brushing eventually erodes your enamel and irritates the gums. It’s best to use a soft-bristle toothbrush and less pressure when brushing. You are massaging the teeth, not trying to grind them down.
Grinding and Clenching
Speaking of grinding the teeth, doing this while awake or asleep generates a tremendous amount of force on your enamel. This wears down the chewing surface, creates cracks in the enamel, and weakens the teeth. Controlling or protecting against this habit, called bruxism, is critical to preserving your teeth long-term.
Constant Snacking and Sipping
Teeth need breaks in order to repair the surface of the enamel. Saliva contains minerals that can repair your tooth enamel. Given enough time, the enamel fixes minor damage. If you are eating or drinking constantly throughout the day, each snack or sip of something acidic restarts the attack on your enamel. If this continues all day, the enamel never gets a chance to recover.
Using Teeth as Tools
Teeth are tools for chewing food, not handling chores. Opening packages, biting fingernails, chewing pens, or tearing tape with your teeth often leads to chips and worn edges. Trying to tear open plastic containers with the teeth is an especially common cause of serious lacerations of the lips, cheeks, and gums, let alone causing damage to the teeth. If you have a nervous compulsion to chew things throughout the day, speak with our dentists for assistance to break this damaging habit.
Protect Your Enamel
Taking care of your enamel is not difficult. Small changes make a big difference. We recommend the following:
- Drink acidic beverages with meals, rather than sipping them all day.
- After drinking an acidic beverage, rinse your mouth out with water.
- Give yourself thirty minutes after eating/drinking acidic items before you brush your teeth. Acid softens your enamel, which makes teeth susceptible to being damaged when you brush.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride supports the remineralization of your tooth enamel by saliva.
- Eat snacks that don’t stick to your teeth or rinse thoroughly afterwards with plain water.
- Talk to your dentist about what can be done to stop grinding your teeth. The longer you wait, the worse the situation becomes.
If your teeth are feeling extra sensitive, look worn, or just don’t seem as strong as they once were, schedule a visit with Lakeside Dental in Folsom. A thorough exam allows our team to evaluate your oral health, including the state of your tooth enamel. Give us the opportunity to spot early signs of damage and thereby protect your smile for years to come!
