Keeping your dental enamel strong and healthy will help your smile resist infection down the road. Our O’Fallon dentists are here to do everything possible to help you achieve and maintain a strong smile! One thing that you really want to avoid is premature enamel thinning. Thin enamel is not as useful as thick dental enamel; if your enamel is thin it is more prone to sensitivity and developing cavities.
Here are some of the things that can cause your dental enamel to become thinner:
Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by chronic dental grinding and clenching. You might find that you’re grinding or clenching your teeth during the day, especially during times of stress. You may also be grinding your teeth at night—if you’re waking up with headaches or jaw pain, this may be due to bruxism.
As your teeth grind back and forth, your dental enamel is put under and immense amount of pressure. Over time, this condition can lead to your enamel becoming thin and weaker; you may also develop small cracks and chips in your teeth due to bruxism. The good news is that there are treatments available to lessen bruxism and protect your enamel!
Acidic Substances
Many foods and drinks are quite acidic, and thus they make dental enamel softer and weaker. One key to avoiding acid-related damage is to refrain from brushing your teeth for at least twenty to thirty minutes after you consume something acidic—your enamel is softer than usual during this period of time, and you don’t want to risk eroding it by brushing.
Here are some of the commonly consumed foods and drinks that are considered acidic:
· Citrus fruits
· Coffee
· Red wine
· Soft drinks
· Fruit juices
As always, you can reach out to our O’Fallon dentists to learn more about how to protect your enamel, and to schedule a consultation with our dental team. We look forward to speaking with you!