Enamel erosion has significant repercussions on the health of your teeth. What is particularly unique and precious about the protective enamel that coats the teeth is that once it has been eroded, it cannot be replaced. That is to say that it cannot be replaced by natural measures. With this in view, it becomes especially important that you protect your tooth enamel to the very best of your abilities. The following are different forms of enamel erosion and how you can manage them.
Different Forms of Erosion
In your quest to protect your tooth's enamel, you need to know that enamel erosion takes one of several different forms. In other words, not all forms of enamel erosion are cut from the same cloth. First, it is crucial that you grasp enamel erosion's general definition. That is to say that enamel erosion--on the whole--is a wearing down of the tooth's enamel brought about by acid processes. Here are the two main sub-types of enamel erosion:
- Internal Tooth Erosion. Internal tooth erosion is, as its name suggests, a condition whereby the internal aspects of the tooth become worn down through gastric acid. This form of erosion is closely correlated with certain eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, as well as certain psychological conditions.
- External Tooth Erosion. External Tooth Erosion refers to a wearing down of the enamel that coats the tooth's exterior. This form of erosion is much more common than its internal counterpart. This is largely because external tooth erosion comes largely as the result of the acidic foods that you eat.
If you have suspicions that you may be suffering from enamel erosion but are not sure about the validity of this suspicion, consider whether your teeth meet the following criteria. Are your teeth feeling more sensitive than they used to and have they become discolored? If so, this likely suggests that your enamel is eroding.
Managing Enamel Erosion
No matter how well you manage your enamel erosion on your own, dealing with it properly and thoroughly will really require the support of a dental professional. When you do meet with your dentist, it is important that you show up with answers to several of the following questions:
- Roughly how long have your symptoms of erosion been present?
- Has your enamel erosion appeared to have improved or worsened over time?
- Can you identify any behaviors that may be contributing to this condition?
Having taken the time to consider the nature and extent of your enamel erosion, you improve your chances of better managing enamel erosion into the future. Talk to a local dentist like Downtown Dental about your concerns today.
