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The tooth enamel is an essential tissue that needs proper attention and care. If neglected, erosion may occur, leading to mild or sharp pain when exposed to hot or cold substances. On the bright side, there are enamel repair options to restore tooth enamel. Read on for more details on whether the enamel can grow back and available treatment options.
What is a Tooth Enamel?
One of the four dental tissues that make up a tooth is enamel. Other hard tissues of the tooth are cementum and dentin. Pulp, the fourth tissue, is a soft tissue found in the middle of a tooth.
The tooth enamel is the white covering on a tooth that protects delicate tissues. Considerably, it is the hardest substance in the human body. However, it is prone to wear and tear. Some causes of tooth enamel erosion include;
- Poor oral hygiene
- Teeth grinding
- Consumption of acidic foods and drinks
- Gastrointestinal problems that may cause vomiting
- Some medications, such as aspirin and antihistamines
- Lack of enough saliva flow
- Use of hard toothbrushes
As the tooth enamel erodes, it may expose some other tissues. Subsequently, it may result in the development of various dental problems.
What are Some of the Dental Problems?
There are several dental problems associated with tooth enamel erosion.
Teeth Sensitivity
The enamel is your first line of defense against your tooth. If it wears off, it exposes other delicate tissues. At first, a small cavity on your enamel might not be problematic. As the enamel erodes, the decay enters the tooth and might get to the pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue hosting the nerve endings. Once the cavity reaches the pulp, you might experience mild or severe pain when chewing or drinking. Other times, the pain might result from small things like exposing your teeth to cold air.
Discoloration of the Teeth
Dentin is the second layer of tissue right after the enamel. It has a yellow shade. As the enamel erodes, it may expose the dentin causing your tooth to have a yellow color.
Tooth Decay
The enamel plays a massive role in protecting your tooth from damage and decay. Once it wears off, the tooth becomes open to cavities.
Chips and Cracks
Your teeth’s edges may feel sharp or rough and may eventually chip or crack due to wear and tear of the enamel.
Smooth, Shiny Spots
When your teeth appear smooth or shiny, it signifies enamel erosion.
Does Tooth Enamel Grow Back?
Most body tissues are living tissues that can regenerate themselves if damaged. For instance;
- Ripped skin can heal
- Torn muscles regrow and knit together
- Fractured bones naturally repair themselves
- Cut hair and nails grow back
However, tooth enamel is not a living tissue. Once your enamel wears off, it cannot grow back or naturally repair itself.
How to Help Enamel Grow Back
Knowing tooth enamel cannot grow back might seem devastating, especially to an adult. Why? For kids, at least, there is a chance of losing their milk teeth and developing permanent teeth. On the other hand, an adult does not have another opportunity to grow their teeth. You might be wondering if then your fate is sealed. Here is some good news, no, it is not. There are several ways to restore tooth enamel. One of which is remineralization, and the other is the use of various treatment options.
Remineralization
Remineralization is the process of replenishing minerals lost by tooth enamel. The enamel’s main component is calcium phosphate. When the enamel losses this component, it becomes weak and is prone to breaking and chipping. However, there are a few ways to restore enamel through remineralization. Here is how;
Use Products Such as Toothpaste and Mouthwash
The use of products that have a high concentration of calcium phosphate helps in repairing your enamel. You might be wondering, how?
When you use mineralized products, they push minerals (such as calcium and phosphates) back into the tooth. As a result, these minerals reinforce the enamel’s strength. Therefore, you can restore enamel by using products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
Eat a Diet High in Nutrients
Eating a nutritious and balanced diet helps to maintain good dental health. Diets rich in calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C restore enamel. These diets include; milk, nuts, seeds, fish, fruits, and carrots. Rich-in-nutrient foods also help your saliva get the necessary components to support remineralization.
Saliva plays an essential role in your mouth as it helps neutralize harmful acids that are detrimental to your enamel. If you eat acidic food, you increase the acid levels in your saliva. Naturally, bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and starch residue. The bacteria then convert these starch and sugars into plaque. Plaque comprises harmful acids. Since your saliva is already acidic, it cannot reduce the acid levels in your mouth. In turn, this leads to healthy minerals in your tooth being attacked and destroyed by the acids. Ultimately, your tooth’s enamel is weakened and starts to wear and tear away.
However, if your erosion is beyond remineralization, there is a need to seek a specialist’s opinion. Luna Pediatric Dentistry has the best pediatric dentist Near Richmond Texas.
Which Treatment Options are Available?
There are several treatment options for kids and adults. These include;
Bonding
This procedure involves the application of tooth-colored resin on the damaged area. After application, a special light hardens it. As it hardens, it attaches itself to the tooth, forming a protective layer. To attain a natural look, your dentist trims and polishes the hardened resin to match the surrounding teeth.
Crowns
For slightly advanced problems, your dentist might recommend using a crown to restore the tooth’s functionality. A crown or cap protects and covers a damaged tooth. It can be ceramic, metal, or porcelain. Crowns are usually custom-made to fit naturally over the damaged tooth.
Veneers
They are thin shells that are custom-made and match your teeth color. The front area of the teeth is where veneers are attached. Typically, they consist of composite material or porcelain, which is easy to use. Veneers restore cracked or chipped teeth and enhance the appearance of yellow teeth.
Enameloplasty
This option is preferred when the tooth has rough edges. It involves repair by reshaping or smoothing out the enamel.
Microabrasion
During this treatment, a specific paste is put on the damaged tooth and removed using a high-pressure stream of water. The paste contains a mild abrasive that removes a thin layer of enamel, which can help to smooth out uneven surfaces.
Depending on the problem at hand, the dentist can advise you accordingly. You can consider Luna Pediatric Dentistry if you are seeking the best orthodontists near Richmond Texas.
How to Prevent Tooth Enamel Loss
You can prevent enamel loss by following the below steps.
Brush Your Teeth with Fluoride Toothpaste
Ensure you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens and helps restore tooth enamel. It also aids in preventing tooth decay. Many toothpaste brands contain fluoride, and some public water systems also include it to prevent cavities. Brushing your teeth with fluoride-based toothpaste twice a day helps remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and strengthens the enamel.
Use a Soft-Bristled Brush and Gentle Motions
When brushing your teeth, avoid the use of a hard-bristled toothbrush. These toothbrushes can cause damage to your tooth enamel as a result of friction. In addition, use gentle circular motions when brushing to lessen the abrasion that might cause enamel erosion.
Floss Frequently
Plaque and food pieces in between your teeth can cause enamel loss. Thus, flossing can help prevent enamel loss by removing the plaque and food particles between your teeth. As a result, you prevent tooth decay, restore enamel, and maintain good health of your gums and teeth.
Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks
Exclude things such as citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and acidic juices from your diet. These foods can erode your enamel. If you have to consume them, consider taking them with other low-in-acid foods to reduce their effect. For the drinks, you can opt to use a straw. A straw helps you push the fluid to the back of your mouth, avoiding your teeth. After consuming any acidic food or drink, ensure you rinse your mouth with clean water.
Use Mouthwash
You can prevent tooth decay and destroy oral bacteria by using mouthwash. One that contains fluoride minerals is more beneficial as it will also restore enamel.
6. Eat a Piece of Cheese or Drink a Glass of Milk After Meals
Milk and cheese help neutralize acids, especially if you consume an acidic meal; hence they restore enamel.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you have low saliva flow, it is advisable to chew gum in between meals. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva hence boosting your dental health. In addition, chewing gum that contains xylitol has extra benefits. The xylitol component can reduce acids in foods and drinks. Therefore, ensure your pick sugar-free gum that contains xylitol when shopping.
Avoid Sugary Foods
After eating sugary foods, some small residues may remain between the teeth. These residues promote the growth of bacteria. As a result, the bacteria convert more sugars into acid, dissolving the enamel. Therefore, if you have to consume sugary foods, ensure you rinse your mouth or brush your teeth afterward.
Visit a Dentist
Regular visits to a dentist ensure that your dental health is always at its best. At Luna Pediatric Dentistry, we are the best orthodontists near Richmond Texas. Our dentists restore enamel by cleaning your teeth and ensuring plaque does not build up whenever you visit.
Drink Water Regularly
Water helps neutralize acids in the mouth. Therefore, if you have low saliva flow, keep drinking water during the day.
Need Professional Services?
If you are looking for the best orthodontists near Richmond Texas, look no further. At Luna Pediatric Dentistry, we have the best kids dentist near Sugar land Texas to help you restore enamel. We would be pleased to engage with you and provide you with information on enamel repair options. Please, do not hesitate to reach us if you have any questions or need treatment.