Why does tooth enamel wear away?
Contrary to popular belief, professional dental hygiene does not damage enamel; abrasion, acidic foods and drinks, bruxism or aggressive brushing do. A question that patients commonly ask us at Clínica Cervera is: “Does dental hygiene wear away enamel?”.
Dental hygiene or prophylaxis eliminates bacterial plaque and dental calculus from the mouth, in addition to making external stains on the teeth caused by coffee, tobacco, red wine disappear… To carry it out, dentists use sonic and ultrasonic devices that, through vibratory waves, break the calculus on the surface of the tooth, as well as the manual use of curettes without affecting the tooth enamel.
Therefore, a professional dental cleaning never damages the enamel, just as we do not damage the glass of the windows in our homes by cleaning them daily, as long as we use the appropriate materials and procedure.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body, but that does not mean it is indestructible.
What can then cause its wear?
##BULLET##Abrasió.
Homemade whitening products based on baking soda and lemon, for example, are abrasive and can end up eroding tooth enamel.
##BULLET##Abuse of acidic foods and drinks.
Energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks, vinegar, wine, citrus juice (orange, lemon, etc.), etc. contribute to tooth erosion.
##BULLET##Bruxism.
One of the consequences of pressure between the teeth is the detachment of the enamel at the neck of the tooth (dental abfraction); in this case, in the shape of a wedge.
This loss of tooth enamel causes extreme sensitivity at the same time.
##BULLET##Aggressive brushing.
If we use too much force with the brush against our teeth or gums, brush too frequently each day or use an inappropriate technique, we can also suffer from tooth abfractions.
Tips for caring for tooth enamel “Prevention is better than cure,” the saying goes.
And in the case of enamel, prevention is especially important since it does not regenerate.
For this reason, at Clínica Cervera we offer you some recommendations for taking care of them.
##NUM##1.
In oral hygiene. – Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day for two minutes. – If you have eaten acidic foods, rinse your mouth and wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. – Use a toothpaste with fluoride, which helps strengthen tooth enamel. – Avoid traumatic brushing techniques.
Do not apply pressure or rub the brush aggressively.
##NUM##2.
In food. – Reduce the consumption of acidic foods and drinks.
If you drink sugary or acidic juices daily, use a straw behind your teeth to minimize contact of the liquid with your teeth.
##NUM##3.
Visit your dentist regularly, who can detect if there is wear on your tooth enamel and why, as well as offer you personalized protection advice and innovative products that repair tooth enamel.