Do you feel pain or discomfort each time you consume something too hot or too cold? Do your teeth have discolored spots on them? If you answered “yes” to one or both questions, chances are you have tooth erosion. Continue reading to know more about it — some of its most common causes and effective home remedies.
The surface of your tooth is made up of enamel, which is regarded as the toughest substance in your body. However, it doesn’t mean that it is impervious to being damaged. If you’re not careful, the enamel coating of your chompers can become eroded, leading to a host of problems.
Aside from tooth sensitivity and discoloration, you may also easily end up with cavities if the enamel of your teeth end up eroded as there is no longer enough effective protection against plaque. The best way to deal with tooth erosion is by stepping foot inside the office of your dentist — he or she can provide the right solution to prevent complications.
You may also do the following that can help tooth erosion from happening or worsening:
Be Gentle When Brushing
Scrubbing your teeth with a toothbrush like there’s no tomorrow is a terrible idea. Not only will this wear away enamel in the long run, but also harm your gums. Make sure that you brush as gently as you can each time. It’s also a wonderful idea for you to opt for a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Steer Clear of Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks are notorious for ruining smiles across the globe. Not only do they contain lots of sugars that can easily cause plaque to form, but they also weaken the enamel — they are highly acidic, making the enamel prone to getting eroded. What you need to do is give up carbonated drinks and opt for water.
Use a Straw When Having Juice
Fruit juices that are 100 percent pure and natural are good for the health, provided that they are taken in moderation. But since most of these juices are on the acidic side, regularly consuming them can also harm the enamel. To limit their ill effects on your chompers, remember to use a straw while drinking them.
Rinse Your Mouth With Water
After consuming acidic stuff such as fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, oranges and limes, have your mouth rinsed with water right away — this will help flush away the acid in your mouth that can soften enamel, making it highly susceptible to getting eroded. Also, refrain from brushing your teeth right after eating or drinking anything acidic.
Consume Foods High in Calcium
It’s a great idea for you to include plenty of calcium-rich foods in your diet. Aside from your bones, your pearly whites are also strengthened by calcium. Cow’s milk, cheese and yogurt are some of the best sources of calcium. You can also get good amounts of the said mineral from sardines, leafy greens, legumes and many fruits.
Put Acid Reflux Under Control
Stomach acid can climb up the esophagus and end up in your mouth if you have acid reflux, and this is a bad thing for your pearly whites — stomach acid is actually strong enough to dissolve enamel. The intake of antacids and avoidance of trigger foods can help manage acid reflux. An expert should also be seen.
Nothing can beat a trip to the dental clinic if you have tooth erosion, although the above mentioned home remedies can lend a hand, too. Kindly have this article reposted on your different social media sites to let your family and friends know how they can keep their smiles intact by keeping tooth erosion at bay.
