Enamel erosion is one of the most common dental problems that can increase the risk of having chipped teeth. Once your enamel-the hard outer surface of your teeth-is eroded, your teeth become relatively more prone to any kind of external influence biting or chewing forces. This means your teeth are liable to break or crack easily. Should you suffer from enamel wear, then do something about it before it becomes extreme.
What Is Tooth Enamel and Why Does It Matter?
Your tooth enamel is the hardest stuff in the body. It is actually harder than your bones. Its main purpose as a cap is to safeguard the softer dentin and inner layers of your teeth. Enamel also shields your teeth from extreme temperatures, acidic food items, and the normal wear and tear that arises from chewing activities. Unlike skin or bone, once lost, it cannot be regrown. Damage or erosion to enamel is permanent; however, once it wears away, your teeth chip, crack, or even become sensitive.
Causes of Enamel Erosion
The causes that have been associated with enamel erosion include:
- Acidic Foods and Drinks: Soft drinks and foods that include lemon and lime juices, beverages, sodas, and coffee, have strong acids. The acids will gradually dissolve enamel over time and make it susceptible to wear.
- Teeth Grinding, also called Bruxism: Teething causes dental damage even in non-aggressive grinding patterns. Many people grind their teeth when sleeping or when they are stressed. The act will wear out the enamel hence exposing the dentition to chipping.
- Dry Mouth: Saliva is one of the protective agents for enamels since it neutralizes acids present in your mouth. A dry mouth condition, which is the reduced production of saliva, enhances the likelihood of enamel erosion.
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): This disease brings stomach acid up into the mouth; this involves your teeth being exposed to acids that cause erosion to these enamels.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Failure to brush and floss regularly tends to lead to the accumulation of harmful plaque and bacteria, causing erosion and other dental complications that can result in weakening the enamel.
- Constant Snacking: Constant snacking tends to increase the rate at which acid attacks your enamel, hence weakening it over time.
You may suffer damage without even noticing, in which your enamel wears off, causing your teeth to chip and crack. A small accident may be needed, where you bite down on hard foods, to cause any serious damage. Prevent further loss of enamel and encourage overall strength in your smile with treatments such as Porcelain Veneers in Mt. Vernon, NY.
Enamel Wear vs. Chipped Teeth
Aside from the erosion of the enamel, your teeth are subjected right away to cracking through the following mechanisms:
- Weakening of the dental structure: As the enamel thins out, the underlying dentin gets exposed. This part is softer than enamel. The teeth cannot endure common biting and chewing forces since they are softer than enamel and thus easily crack.
- Greater Sensitivity: Eroded enamel makes your teeth highly sensitive to either hot, cold, or sweet foods. This implies uneven pressure while biting; therefore, chewing is affected, and there will be a higher chance of developing chips and cracks.
- Compromised Aesthetics: Eroded enamel makes your teeth dull, uneven, and, sometimes discolored. Broken teeth can exacerbate the aesthetic concern and the smile in general.
How Porcelain Veneers Can Help Protect Your Teeth
Your chipped or weakened teeth problems with enamel erosion can be solved with porcelain veneers. Dentists assure attractive, functional correction of your teeth in Mt. Vernon, NY. Porcelain veneers are perfect prefabricated shells made from extremely durable porcelain material that can cover your front tooth surface to give you a real long-lasting smile.
The important benefits of porcelain veneers are as follows:
- Strength. Porcelain veneers are made of a ceramic material very strong, much like the enamel of your natural teeth. It gives another protective layer to your front teeth so they won’t chip or crack soon.
- Increased Beauty: Veneers are created to be the shape, size, and color that is essentially like your natural teeth. They easily fix problems caused by the erosion in enamel, such as chipping, discoloration, or rough surfaces.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers do not stain like natural teeth when exposed to coffee, tea, or even other food products. Therefore, the porcelain veneers are a very ideal option to provide a radiant smile for years on end.
- Long-Lasting Solution: The porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years and more with proper care, making them a long-lasting solution for enamel erosion and chipped teeth.
For chipped teeth brought about by enamel erosion, Mt. Vernon, NY Porcelain Veneers can help you rectify the appearance and functionality of your teeth to achieve a healthy shine of teeth.
Protecting Yourself from Enamel Erosion as well as Chipped Teeth
While porcelain veneers can restore your damaged teeth, prevention is also very important so that no other enamel erosion occurs again in the future. Here are some ways to prevent enamel erosion:
- Use Soft Bristles: Hard bristled brush often wears away your enamel. Brush using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently. Do not scrub too hard. Don’t scratch those teeth.
- Don’t consume acidic food and beverages. And always rinse the mouth with water after consumption of such acids to neutralize the same.
- Hydration: Drinking more water ensures you produce more saliva, which is exactly what will dilute the acids and provide a buffer for the enamel.
- Wear a Nightguard: You are a grinder at night? Having an individually fitted night guard is extremely helpful in avoiding further erosion of the enamel and in protecting the tooth from chips.
- Regular visits to your Mt. Vernon, NY, Dentist, can help diagnose the beginning signs of enamel erosion and will render the care to avoid any more damage.
Conclusion
If you feel dental erosion or tooth chipping, you must go and see a trusted dentist in Mt. Vernon, NY, such as Dr. Amul Patel at Aurora Smiles. provide all-inclusive dental care-from preventive treatments to advanced solutions like porcelain veneers to make sure you maintain your best, strongest, healthiest smile.
At an early stage of enamel erosion, it can be treated, and treatments like Porcelain Veneers in Mt. Vernon, NY, can save your teeth from further damage and maintain a healthy shine for a lifetime. Call or visit Aurora Smiles today to regain your teeth and your oral health.