Preventing Tooth Enamel Erosion

Oral health is very important to your overall health and losing your tooth enamel can lead to many problems.  As an adult, you won’t get a second chance to protect your tooth enamel—once it’s gone, it’s gone. Although tooth enamel cannot be rebuilt, you can prevent its loss with a good oral care routine. We want to help you maintain your healthy smile by maintaining strong enamel.

What is tooth enamel, and how does it erode?

Enamel is a thin calcium phosphate material that covers the crown of the tooth. It’s a tough shell—the hardest tissue in the human body!—that protects your teeth. Enamel erosion is due to a number of factors, and usually shows up as hollows in the teeth and a general wearing away of the tooth surface and biting edges. When the enamel is worn away, the dentin underneath is exposed. This may lead to pain and sensitivity.

Tips to help protect your tooth enamel

Reduce Acidic Foods and Drinks

Did you know that acidic foods and beverages can wear away your enamel? Limiting your exposure to sodas, acidic fruit juices and carbonated beverages can help prevent tooth enamel erosion. If you are going to drink an acidic beverage, consider using a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth.

Use Low Abrasive Toothpaste

Not all toothpastes are created equal! Depending on your specific dental care situation, some products may be more helpful than others. However, one contributor to tooth enamel is erosion is abrasive toothpaste, and it’s also one of the most preventable. The American Dental Association developed a scale called Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) to assess toothpaste abrasiveness against a standard measurement. The higher the RDA score, the more abrasive the toothpaste is.”

Talk to Your Dentist

The next time you come in, we can help you craft an at-home dental care regimen that can help you prevent tooth enamel erosion.

About Leesburg Family Smiles

Leesburg Family Smiles has been delivering care to patients of all ages in a comfortable, supportive and friendly environment in Loudoun County and throughout Northern Virginia since 1973! Drs. Amanda Brown and Walter Collazo have extensive knowledge and expertise in dentistry, coupled with a genuine concern for their patients.