How To Treat Damaged Tooth Enamel

When your tooth enamel starts to become damaged, it’s important to recognise what is happening and tackle it quickly. If you ignore it, you could end up with a problem that causes pain and tooth discolouration with time. At Forestside Dental, we care greatly about the long-lasting health of your teeth and gums. Keep reading to learn all about the potential risks to tooth enamel and how to protect yourself against damage. 

What is Tooth Enamel and Why is it Important?

Tooth enamel is the hard protective layer that coats your teeth, protecting the soft pulp and dentin hidden within. It keeps your teeth strong and healthy and shields your sensitive gums and nerves. It is also the layer that gives teeth their white appearance. Made up of various nutrients and minerals such as sodium, carbonate, magnesium, hydroxyapatite, and fluoride, enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. Despite this, it is only around 2.58mm thick, so it is incredibly vulnerable to damage over time. 

The Signs of Damaged Tooth Enamel

If your teeth lose all of their enamel it is impossible to replace, but there are steps you can take to repair it if you spot it early enough. However, you can only catch it if you know the signs to look for.

Tooth Discolouration 

Tooth discolouration is an easy sign to look for. When your enamel starts wearing down it exposes the dentin layer underneath. This can leave your teeth looking yellow.

New or Increased Sensitivity

Eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet and then experiencing a sharp zing of pain is a sign of sensitivity. While there are many potential causes of this, a particularly common one is enamel erosion.

Tooth Chips and Cracks 

Enamel erosion can cause your teeth to look rough, worn, or jagged as its coating is worn down. Teeth with enamel loss are also more prone to cracking and chipping. 

How Can You Look After Damaged Enamel?

Enamel seems to naturally break down over time, but there are definitely lifestyle choices which can speed up enamel loss and cause pain and dental issues earlier in life. Behaviours such as consuming excessive amounts of sugar or high-acidity foods and drinks can cause noticeable changes to your enamel levels. There are various changes you can make in your life to ease some of this damage. 

Chewing sugar-free gum will promote saliva production which helps to neutralise plaque decay. Eating fibre-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, will also increase saliva production. Depending on the type of gum, it can also replace minerals in your teeth and strengthen your enamel. Drinking plenty of water daily will help to reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth, as will drinking green or black tea. 

Tooth Enamel Loss Treatments

If your enamel is completely eroded, then these preservative tricks will no longer be useful. Instead, you may need restorative dental treatments to protect your gums and remaining teeth. 

Composite bonding is one option that we can offer you at Forestside to protect your vulnerable teeth from further damage. Composite bonding is a faster alternative to veneers or crowns, as well as being reversible. Your teeth are topped with a tasteless white resin which fills chips and cracks in your teeth while protecting them. 

Crowns and veneers are a permanent alternative to provide you with the same physical and aesthetic benefits of composite bonding. They are visually very similar, differing only in how they are attached to the teeth. Veneers are attached to the front of your teeth while crowns are fitted over the top of your teeth. Both give you an aesthetically pleasing smile while protecting you from the pain and health concerns of exposed eroded teeth.

Book a Consultation With Our Specialists Today

At Forestside Dental Practice, we understand the importance of regular dental appointments and checks. At our dental clinic in Dibden Purlieu, we offer a wide range of dental services to our customers in and around the New Forest and Southampton areas. Whether you need cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, dental care, or Invisalign braces, our team of highly qualified practitioners is here to provide excellent care every time. 

We pride ourselves on our high standard of care, which includes maintaining top-quality equipment which complies with regulations set by the General Dental Council. We aim to ensure that every patient receives an excellent standard of care throughout the entire process.

To book a free dentist consultation, fill out our online form today and a member of our team of specialists will contact you. If you have any questions or queries regarding our services, please don’t hesitate to use our online contact form and reach out to us today. Take that first step towards a healthier smile now!