Dental erosion occurs when the outer layer of the teeth, also known as the enamel, begins to wear away. This can occur due to chemicals in food or drinks or factors like grinding teeth. Dental erosion can cause teeth to be more likely to develop cavities, stains and be more sensitive overall.
If dental erosion is not treated, your teeth may continue to erode. This is a slow, treatable process.
Symptoms of dental erosion include:
Pain and discomfort are symptoms of erosion beyond the enamel. The more the teeth erode, the more likely nerves are to be affected, which can cause severe pain.
There are several potential causes of dental erosion. These include:
Risk factors for dental erosion include improper tooth care and an overall lack of dental hygiene.
If your dentist suspects you have dental erosion, they can diagnose it during a routine dental exam. They may look for signs like pitting or even run an X-ray to determine how much damage there is.
Complications of dental erosion include yellow, stained teeth, rough, jagged edges on the teeth, tooth decay, and broken or cracked teeth.
Treatment for dental erosion depends on the extent of the damage. For early dental erosion, fluoride treatment is often given. Fluoride fortifies the enamel and stops further decay. Fluoride treatment is commonly given at many dental checkups. However, it cannot reverse dental erosion. Your dentist may try veneers, dental bonding, or crowns for more advanced cases.
Prevention is very important for dental erosion. Once enamel is damaged, it cannot be regrown, so taking preventative measures is key to stopping damage. Here are some things you can do to prevent dental erosion:
Dental erosion is a slow process, and any steps you take to prevent it will be helpful. Seeing your dentist regularly is paramount to maintaining good dental health.