Tooth Erosion is classified as the wearing down or thinning of enamel.  Tooth erosion can also be identified by transperancy along the  lower edges of the tooth.  This condition is usually caused by consuming acidic foods & drinks. When too many acidic items are consumed this may result in the  dissolving away of tooth enamel.  Tooth erosion is becoming more common because acidic drinks and snacks have become more popular.

     Minerals found in your saliva do have the ability to help repair the areas of the tooth exposed to acids  if allowed a rest period.  Everytime you consume any foods, acids are created in your mouth. When you consume acidic foods then your teeth are under stronger attack.  For this reason snacking should be avoided between meals. 

     Tooth erosion may also cause teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold items. Teeth suffering from erosion can also become more susceptible to tooth decay (cavities).

Here are some tips to prevent tooth erosion:

• avoid snacking between meals
• try to refrain from consuming sugary snacks
• drink acidic drinks quickly and do not swish them around in the mouth
• use a straw when drinking acidic beverages
• don’t brush your teeth immediately after consuming something acidic
• some fruits are very acidic and should be avoided in large amounts

     If you suspect that you may be suffering from this condition please speak to your dental professional. Your dental professional will be able to properly identify the condition and assist in preventing further damage to occur to your enamel.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 8:45 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.