This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years
You might have heard about enamel erosion and how bad it is for your teeth. But what actually is tooth enamel?
Enamel is the shiny outer layer of your tooth that acts like a shield, protecting your teeth from wear and tear from chewing, grinding and exposure to everything in your mouth. Enamel is crucial for maintaining strong, healthy teeth, and preventing sensitivity and pain.
However, this shield is not invincible. Enamel erosion occurs when this protective outer layer is worn away, making your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity, decay and a multitude of other dental problems. Enamel is what gives teeth their white colour, so the thinner your enamel, the yellower your teeth may appear.
Read on, as we will cover everything you need to know about tooth erosion and how to prevent it.
Causes of tooth enamel erosion
Identifying the cause of your enamel erosion is crucial for preventing further damage. The main causes of tooth enamel erosion to watch out for are the following:
Acidic foods and drinks
Dietary acids are one of the single biggest causes of tooth erosion. If you regularly consume acidic foods and drinks, your enamel can get damaged, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Fizzy soft drinks and fruit juices are loaded with phosphoric and citric acid, along with citrus fruits, apples, vinegar, and wine.
Make sure you consume these foods and drinks in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterwards to neutralise your oral environment and keep enamel erosion at bay.
Dry mouth
Saliva plays a vital role in protecting your teeth by washing away food particles and neutralising harmful acids. It also contains minerals like calcium and phosphate which are important for tooth remineralisation. If your mouth is dry, the quantity and quality of your saliva is compromised, and your teeth are more susceptible to enamel erosion.
Dry mouth can be caused by medications (like aspirin and antihistamines, etc.), age, certain medical conditions, or dehydration. It is important to stay hydrated with plenty of water to prevent dry mouth from damaging your enamel.
Genetics
Just like hair colour and eyesight, the strength of your enamel is part of the genetic lottery. Some people are predisposed to have weaker enamel due to their genes.
Friction and daily wear
Another common cause of enamel wear is friction. Things like overly aggressive brushing, grinding your teeth at night, and chewing fingernails or pens can wear down enamel over time.
Feeling stressed? Teeth grinding or clenching, a common response to stress, can also make your enamel wear away faster, especially in mouths already exposed to erosive challenges.
Pregnancy
Enamel erosion can also be tied to pregnancy. Although rare, enamel erosion can occur in pregnant women who suffer from severe and prolonged nausea and vomiting.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can contribute to dental erosion. Enamel is most vulnerable during sleep as the gastric acids pass into the oral cavity and mouth’s natural defence of salvia is reduced.
Lifestyle
Enamel erosion risk is increased from a high consumption of highly acidic fruit and drinks, along with the consumption of alcohol. Intense exercise can also cause enamel erosion if tied to gastroesophageal reflux. Other activities such as swimming can also lead to dental erosion. Over exposure to chlorine in swimming pools has been linked to enamel erosion, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
How to restore tooth enamel
Can tooth enamel grow back? For those with severe enamel erosion, it is bad news – once enamel is gone, it is unfortunately gone.
However, if your enamel is at an early stage of weakness (demineralisation), you can strengthen and help it repair itself. This is called remineralisation. If you are wondering how to restore tooth enamel naturally, minerals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate are enamel-savers.
How to maintain and restore tooth enamel at home:
Fluoride toothpaste: brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day to remineralise and restore enamel, making it stronger. Oral-B Pro-Expert Deep Clean Toothpaste containing stannous fluoride forms a protective shield against erosive acids while actively strengthening teeth by remineralising enamel.
Non-acidic food and drink: try to cut down your intake of acidic foods and drinks and swap them for non-acidic choices. Opt for food that strengthens teeth, like milk, cheese, spinach, nuts, tinned fish, broccoli and strawberries, and drink green tea. If you drink acidic liquids (like soda or fruit juice), use a straw to bypass your teeth. It’s always a good habit to rinse your mouth with water after you have had acidic foods and drinks.
Stay hydrated: having plenty of saliva is key for protecting your enamel. It washes away food particles and neutralises acids in your mouth, so drink plenty of water to stimulate saliva production.
Brush gently: If your mouth is already exposed to erosive challenges, brushing your teeth too aggressively can wear away at your enamel and dentin. To protect your teeth, use a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to ensure you do not brush too hard. The Oral-B iO Series of electric toothbrushes have a Smart Pressure sensor that automatically slows down whenever brushing it too hard. Plus, most come with Sensitive mode, a gentler clean for gums and teeth.
Wear a mouthguard: if you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to protect your enamel.
Consult your dentist: if you have dry mouth or any underlying medical conditions that might contribute to enamel erosion, consult your dentist for professional advice on how to restore tooth enamel.
A visit to the dentist
If you suspect you have enamel erosion, it is important to visit the dentist. Your dentist will examine your teeth to assess the extent of the erosion and identify the cause. Everyone’s teeth are different, so your dentist will be able to provide a personalised treatment plan for rebuilding tooth enamel and preventing further erosion.
During your check-up, the dentist will also be able to spot any cavities that may have formed and treat them before they become a serious problem.
Seeing the dentist can be daunting, but it is important to go for regular check-ups to make sure you have strong healthy enamel, teeth, and gums. You should book an appointment if you suspect there’s something wrong – the earlier any problems are found, the easier they are to treat.
Your dentist can recommend some preventive treatments like fluoride therapy or in more severe erosion cases, restorative treatments like crowns, veneers, and composite bonding.
FAQs on how to restore enamel
What age does enamel erode?
Enamel erosion can occur at any age after you have your adult teeth. It depends on your oral hygiene habits, food and drink consumption, lifestyle, and any medication you may be on.
Is it possible to prevent enamel erosion at home?
There are some enamel erosion prevention and management strategies at home to help rebuild weakened enamel, like brushing your teeth twice a day with a stannous fluoride toothpaste to remineralise enamel protect against enamel erosion. If you suspect you have enamel erosion, you should visit your dentist for professional advice.
https://www.ada.org/en/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/dental-erosion
