Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dental Enamel Erosion: The Hidden Mouth Problem

You may have a problem in your mouth that you’re not even aware of. Eroding enamel is a dental problem that’s growing in frequency and is affecting people at younger and younger ages Dental enamel erosion occurs when acids present in the mouth slowly and relentlessly wear away the hard enamel that protects the teeth. When the enamel is eroded, teeth become prone to cracking and may appear discolored and yellow as the underlying dentin starts to show through. When eroding enamel causes tooth discoloration, bleaching will only make the problem worse. Teeth also become sensitive to heat and cold as the problem worsens.

What’s behind the growing epidemic of dental enamel erosion? According to experts, the problem lies partially with what Americans, particularly young people drink on a daily basis. Soft drinks and sports drinks are two of the biggest culprits, although fruit juice has a high enough acidity level to contribute to the problem of eroding enamel also. Sports drinks contain citric acid which can wreck havoc on the enamel structure of the teeth. Because of the popularity of sports drinks, dental enamel erosion is being seen in kids as young as high school age.

While you may be tempted to grab a toothbrush and brush your teeth after drinking a soft drink or sports drink to stop the problem of eroding enamel, this is the worst thing you can do. Because the acid from the drink softens the tooth enamel temporarily, brushing can do more harm than good. It’s best to thoroughly wash the mouth out after drinking an acidic beverage and wait at least thirty minutes before brushing with a soft toothbrush.

Although acidic food and drinks are two of the biggest causes of eroding enamel, certain medical conditions and medications can also play a role. Chewing on aspirin because of its acidity can cause significant dental enamel erosion. People sometimes use chewable aspirin for relief of back pain. Medications that cause drying of the mouth can also contribute to the problem since saliva helps to maintain normal pH in the mouth. Acid reflux disease and chronic heartburn can also cause a serious case of eroded enamel. Tooth enamel is frequently eroded in people with eating disorders who purge and can even affect people who swim frequently in chlorinated swimming pools where the pH isn’t properly maintained.

Unless you’re prepared to get painful dental work in the future, eliminating acidic soft drinks and sports drinks from your diet is a good first step towards reducing the problem of eroding enamel. If you do drink something acidic, use a straw to limit contact with the teeth. Acidic foods also play a role. Even yogurt can contribute to eroding enamel due to its slight acidity. If you take medications that dry your mouth out, try chewing on sugarless gum to increase the natural flow of saliva. Always rinse your mouth after eating or drinking something acidic, and, whatever you do, don’t suck on a lemon.