Your tooth enamel may be strong, but it can get worn down over time if you do not take proper care of your pearly whites. Once your tooth enamel erodes, your teeth will be much more sensitive and prone to cavities. Changing some of your habits can help keep your teeth healthy and strong. Here are six helpful tips for preventing tooth enamel erosion:
Do not Brush Your Teeth Right After Consuming Acidic Drinks or Foods
It is not a good idea to consume acidic drinks and foods, such as sodas and citrus fruits, all the time. The acids from these foods and beverages can erode your tooth enamel over time. When you do want to consume something acidic, you should at least wait an hour before brushing your teeth.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Tooth grinding is a terrible habit that can do serious damage to your teeth over time. Clenching down on your teeth all the time will weaken the enamel and make your pearly whites more sensitive. If you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping, it may be necessary to get a custom mouth guard.
Avoid Brushing Your Teeth Too Aggressively
Brushing your teeth with as much force as possible can do a lot of harm. You will not get rid of plaque any better and will just weaken your enamel. Be more gentle when you brush your pearly whites.
Use a Straw
If you can't completely give up soda and juice, you should remember to sip these drinks with a straw. When you use a straw, less of the liquid will come in contact with your teeth, minimizing erosion.
Do not Mistake Your Teeth for a Tool
Teeth are sharp, so they can be effective at tearing off a clothes tag or opening up a bag of chips. However, using your teeth as a tool is a big mistake. If you do this too often, the enamel will become very weak. Do not use your teeth for anything other than chewing food.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Another way you can prevent tooth enamel erosion is to chew sugar-free gum after meals. This gum will increase saliva production and reduce acid in your mouth.
Following these helpful tips can lower the risk of tooth enamel erosion. However, if your enamel still gets damaged, you can talk to your dentist about treatment options, such as tooth bonding. Check out the site for more information.
Share5 January 2016
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
