Dental Erosion and Your Smile

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Are you aware that dental erosion is caused by the corrosion of your tooth enamel? Tooth enamel, the defensive layer of your teeth, is extremely strong and durable, but sadly cannot hold up to many types of harmful acids that can invade your mouth. The bacteria in plaque can even alter dangerous substances such as sugar molecules into harmful acids that will eat through your enamel and cause dental erosion. For a list of guidelines to help treat and prevent dental erosion, consider the following:

– Limit the quantity of low pH foods in your diet. Foods and drinks that have low pH levels are more acidic and more likely to chew through your tooth enamel and cause dental erosion.

– Remove sugary products from your lifestyle, as sugar is known to change into harmful acids in your mouth which can cause enamel erosion.

– Avoid sticky and chewy sweets that stick to the roof of your mouth and your teeth. These products can cause dental erosion to continue to take place long after feasting. Try using sugarless gum to neutralize acids and rinse away harmful particles.

– Use oral health care cleaning tools that are reliable and effective for brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. If you have a hard time brushing and flossing effectively, use easier-to-operate dental cleaners such as electric toothbrushes and water flossers.

Depending on your dental erosion severity, our dentist at Ortman Family Dentistry can help you find which treatment will work best for you. Dr. Greg Ortman and our team would love to see you at our dentist office in Lafayette, Indiana. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 765-447-0322. We look forward to seeing you smile bright this season!