Causes of Enamel Damage & How to Recognize Enamel Erosion

Our teeth are composed of soft part which is protected by enamel like an egg protects the shell. It is a tough layer which is also the hardest substance in human body. However, due to certain causes and faulty habits, it can get deteriorated over time, which often results in teeth discoloration. It is important to know the causes of enamel damage, some of which include faulty food habits and other health conditions.

Teeth discoloration, from enamel damage is often seen due to taking too much of tea, coffee or tobacco products. Enamel is transparent which protects the dentin and when dentin is discolored, it shows through enamel. But what actually makes this part of your teeth suffer from wear and tear, this is a question dealt with in this guide.

Let us understand the causes of enamel damage in detail.

Enamel is worn down when cavities are formed and many times due to wrong eating habits. When the inner layer of teeth withers away, it becomes prone to getting exposed, which onsets decaying process. When enamel is damaged, your teeth will be highly sensitive to cold and heat and make eating certain foods quite painful.

Some of the causes of enamel damage include:

When you have a dry mouth very frequently, tooth enamel can get disrupted. Dryness in mouth is a common cause of enamel damage and is seen in many people. It can occur due to presence of very little saliva, presence of acid in your mouth, due to certain medical conditions or from intake of certain medicines.

Bacteria are one of the commonest causes of enamel damage, with time. If you are too much into heavy, deep fried and sweet food that also contains starch, then you are surely in trouble. Such foods produce acids which are responsible for destroying the outer shell of your teeth.

Other enamel destroying foods include the following:

• Juices, drinks and sodas
• Candies, sweets and chocolate

When you have a problematic gut, your whole immunity is in trouble. First of all, digestive problems occur due to intake of wrong food and adds to the possibility of enamel damage. People suffering from acid reflux disease, frequent vomiting and acidic content coming in contact with mouth can damage the enamel.

Wines have acids which are quite harmful for your teeth and taking your favorite drink several times a day can actually put you in danger. When your enamel comes in contact with harmful acids the teeth enamel gets damaged. This too is one of the common causes of enamel damage.

Not only does alcohol destroys your psyche, but also make you fall ill. Restricting it to occasional shots, can also lead you to becoming addicted to it and may causes severe acidity. If you are vomiting profusely due to alcohol, it can cause enamel damage. In fact, binge drinking does more harm to you than good and makes your mouth very prone to develop the bacteria leading to gradual teeth erosion.

If you are heavily into aspirin, the surface of your enamel can be subjected to massive changes. Though this may take few years to occur, enamel may get significantly damaged. This too can count for the several causes of enamel damage.

If you are heavily into vitamin C intake which has high acidic ingredients, your tooth enamel is subjected to wear and tear. The excess acid formation can be one of the causes of enamel damage due to excessive intake of citrus foods and other corrosive substances.

Brushing your teeth too hard can be very troublesome and may lead to various problems which can be tough to deal with. Experts recommend that you should not brush your teeth too hard as it actively wears away the enamel. Using soft bristles is preferred as it keeps your teeth clean and also maintains dental hygiene. Avoid using the toothpaste which is rich in flavor but go for the one, which has fluorides, or best, as advised by your dentist.

When you have yellow teeth, you have probably damaged enamel. If you have pain in your teeth while eating any cold or hot food and surface has become shinier, you are losing out on minerals indicating enamel erosion.

If you are already having some sort of problem related to your teeth, seek for an immediate medical help. Tooth decay leads to bacteria entering your gut through your mouth becoming a cause of ailments in the long run. You need to be quite watchful about toothache and decay which becomes a cause of concern.

All in all, there are some major reasons which causes enamel decay. If you wish to have good dental hygiene, then following some basic tricks and tips definitely helps. Take food which is moderate in taste and rich in nutrients which keeps your oral hygiene intact. A diet rich in local and easily available fruits makes easier for you to maintain a health that you seek to have and in long run. It not only keeps your teeth in good form but also increases your physical stamina. After understanding the causes of enamel damage, you can avoid them to keep your enamel healthy.

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Also Read:

• What Causes Pits In Teeth Enamel And How To Treat Them?
• 10 Startling Causes of Enamel Loss