5 Tooth Erosion Treatment Tips

Although tooth enamel has the distinction of being the hardest substance in the human body, that doesn’t mean that it is impenetrable. And it just so happens that you are your own worst enemy when it comes to the state of your tooth enamel. The foods and beverages you consume may be intended to sustain your body, but they first have to pass through your mouth and get ground up by your teeth, and the particles that hang around can cause serious damage to your dental health. Certain substances like sugar, acid, and even starch (which turns into sugar) are going to be worse for your enamel because they attack it directly. But really, any food could be harmful if you fail to properly care for your oral health. And once your enamel starts to erode, you open yourself up to all kinds of issues such as sensitivity, staining, cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss if these issues aren’t addressed. So what can you do to keep your enamel strong and stave off erosion? Here are a few tips to get you on track.

1. Proper dental hygiene. Your oral health in general depends on a daily regimen of proper dental care, but keeping your enamel strong means you won’t have to work so hard to protect your teeth from outside threats. In an ideal world, you would brush, floss, and rinse after every meal. But this isn’t necessarily feasible for the busy, modern human on the go. So make sure to follow this routine when you have time, which is generally in the morning and the evening. During the day, drink plenty of water after meals to rinse or chew some sugar-free gum to grab stuck-on food particles and increase saliva production.
2. Skip corrosive foods and drinks. There are so many products out there that contain processed sugar, acids, and starches that you can have a hard time avoiding foods and beverages that are bound to attack your enamel. But a few you should probably try to steer clear of are sodas, candy, and products containing bleached flour.
3. Add dairy to your diet. If you’re looking for something to replace your daily soda intake, look no further than milk, which contains the calcium needed to keep your bones strong, including your teeth. You should also consider munching on snacks that contain cheese, which not only delivers a healthy dose of calcium, but has also been found to balance the pH in your mouth, combatting acidity brought on by other foods.
4. Use fluoride toothpaste. You probably haven’t used fluoride since you were a kid (and these days it seems that it’s not that great for kids, actually), but if you’re having problems with enamel erosion, fluoride can help to strengthen your teeth, making them more resistant to acids. You just have to be careful not to use too much, which is why a toothpaste with fluoride may be a better option than, say, a mouthwash.
5. See your dentist regularly. Although the onus is mainly on you to make lifestyle choices that are going to protect your enamel from erosion, heading in for regular check-ups and cleanings at Long Prairie Dental or your preferred local office can definitely help. Not only can your dental care provider ensure that you leave the office with healthy teeth, but he/she can offer you advice on how to better avoid erosion and preserve your enamel between cleanings.