If you have noticed that your dental enamel—the outermost layer of your teeth—looks or feels different than it used to, you may be dealing with acid-related erosion. This common oral health issue affects many adult dental patients, and it can be difficult to treat on your own. That is why our Santa Monica dentists encourage you to reach out for a professional assessment, and professional treatment, when faced with thinning enamel.
Dental enamel can become thinner for a number of reasons. While dental enamel is the strongest and least porous layer of the tooth, it is by no means indestructible. The acidic substances and oral bacteria that come into contact with your enamel can cause it to wear away over time.
The process is often accelerated by a condition called bruxism. Bruxism is the term we use to describe chronic dental grinding and tooth clenching. When you grind your teeth, the enamel-on-enamel contact that results causes your outer tooth to break down.
Another thing that can increase the rate at which your teeth wear down is brushing at the wrong time. Many people are surprised to find out that dental enamel is temporarily softened when it comes into contact with something acidic. In fact, your enamel will remain softer than normal for about 20 to 30 minutes after acid exposure. If you are brushing your smile, or picking at your teeth, during this time, you may inadvertently cause damage.
Minimizing the negative effects of acid erosion is all about consuming sugary and acidic things thoughtfully, in time-limited sittings, and promoting your body’s ability to produce re-mineralizing saliva. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and that are not brushing your smile until your teeth are re-mineralized.
Give our Santa Monica dentists a call to learn more about this important dental issue, and to schedule a consultation with our team. We are here to help!