Is Enamel Loss a Problem?

Your enamel is one of the key components of your teeth, and it happens to be the strongest resource in your body. That’s because it does an incredibly important job—biting, chewing, and slicing into everything you eat.

As you may know, it’s possible for your enamel to wear down over time. You may have even had a dentist tell you that this is happening to you. If you’re wondering if that’s a problem, here’s what you should know.

Is it a Bad Thing to Lose Enamel?

Thinning enamel is a complicated issue, because while it can cause problems, it isn’t always a consequence of something that the patient is doing. Enamel thins naturally as people age, and to some extent, there isn’t anything you can do about it.

However, enamel can also thin much faster due to an overabundance of acidic foods in the diet. When the enamel gets thin enough, that can start to cause serious problems.

What are the Consequences of Thinning Enamel?

Your enamel comprises the top layer of your tooth, and it protects the softer, much more sensitive inner layers. The layer directly below the enamel is made of a substance called dentin, which is brown tissue filled with nerve endings.

As the dentin is exposed, the teeth can become more sensitive. This often presents itself as a sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Dentin is also much darker than surface enamel, so exposing it can potentially cause the teeth to yellow as well.

Finally, enamel is used to give the teeth strength and security, and without it, you are more vulnerable to chips and cracks.

How to Protect Your Enamel

The unfortunate thing about enamel is that, as important as it is, it can’t be replaced once it’s gone. That means that you have to protect it.

The most important thing you can do to keep your enamel is to brush with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride can’t replace your enamel, but it can strengthen it and make it harder to lose. You could also try cutting out acidic foods to shield your enamel as much as possible.

About the Author

At Laketown Family Dental, we believe that your smile deserves only the best that this field has to offer. We’re proud to say that we offer that to our patients every single day! Drs. Eric and Ariel Heisser are dentists who combine their understanding and mastery of the latest in oral medicine with a gentle touch that can put any patient at ease.

If you have any questions about your enamel, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (231) 737-2273.