How acid destroys enamel
Enamel consists of mineral crystals that are resistant to stress, but sensitive to acidic environments. When the acidity in the mouth drops below a certain threshold, the crystals begin to dissolve and the surface of the tooth softens. Saliva can gradually return minerals back, but this takes time. If something sour comes in often, the enamel does not have time to recover, and if you brush your teeth immediately after sour food, the softened layer is simply removed. Thus, over the years, a significant thickness of tissue is lost, and softer dentin is exposed.
- Acid dissolves enamel minerals
- Saliva neutralizes acid and returns minerals
- Frequent sour snacks do not allow enamel to recover
- Cleaning immediately after acidic accelerates tissue loss
- Exposed dentin wears away faster than enamel
External and internal sources of acid
External acids come from food and drinks. The habit of holding a drink in your mouth for a long time, sipping it for an hour or drinking it at night is especially harmful. Internal acids enter the mouth from the stomach: with gastroesophageal reflux disease, frequent vomiting, including eating disorders and toxicosis of pregnancy. In this case, first of all, the inner surface of the upper teeth is destroyed. A separate reason is dry mouth, in which saliva ceases to protect the enamel.
- Carbonated and energy drinks, juices, lemonades
- Citrus fruits, vinegar, marinades, sour berries
- Wine and sour sports drinks
- Gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn
- Vomiting in Eating Disorders and Pregnancy
- Dry mouth due to medications and diseases of the salivary glands
- Professional contact with acids, frequent swimming in chlorinated pools
Symptoms and stages
At first there are almost no complaints: only the shine of the enamel changes, it becomes matte, and transparency appears at the cutting edge. Then comes sensitivity to cold, sour and sweet. Round depressions form on the chewing mounds, fillings begin to protrude above the surface of the tooth - this is a characteristic sign of loss of surrounding tissues. In advanced cases, the teeth shorten, turn yellow due to translucent dentin, the height of the bite changes and pain appears when chewing.
- Loss of shine, matte enamel surface
- Transparency of the incisal edge of the anterior teeth
- Sensitivity to cold and sour
- Rounded impressions on chewing surfaces
- Fillings protrude above tooth level
- Shortening and yellowing of teeth
What does a dentist do?
The doctor assesses how much tissue has already been lost and whether the process is ongoing. To do this, he examines all surfaces of the teeth, takes photographs and impressions in order to compare the picture after a few months. An important part of the appointment is a detailed conversation about eating habits, heartburn, work and sports. If there are signs of reflux or vomiting, the dentist will refer you to a gastroenterologist or other specialist, because without eliminating the cause, any restorations will fail again.
- Inspection and assessment of the degree of tissue loss
- Photo protocol and diagnostic models for control
- Survey about drinks, heartburn, vomiting, taking medications
- Referral to a gastroenterologist for suspected reflux
- Assessment of dry mouth and saliva composition
- Re-examination in a few months
Treatment and prevention
The first step is to remove the source of the acid and change your habits. The second is to strengthen the remaining enamel with fluorides and remineralizing compounds and reduce sensitivity. If the tissue is lost significantly, the shape of the teeth is restored with composite restorations, veneers or crowns; The scope of intervention is determined by the dentist. Important household rules: do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking something sour, but rinse your mouth with water and wait about half an hour, use a soft brush and toothpaste with fluoride, drink sour drinks through a straw and do not keep them in your mouth.
- Reduce the frequency of acidic drinks and meals
- Rinse your mouth with water after sour food and wait until brushing
- Soft brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Professional fluoridation as prescribed by a doctor
- Treatment of reflux by a gastroenterologist
- Restorations, veneers or crowns with significant tissue loss
- Regular inspections to monitor the process