Tooth enamel surrounds the crown of every tooth with its dense mineral composition. It appears yellow, gray, white or even blue-tinged in color and protects the tooth from sugar and acid that can hurt it. This thin cover of minerals, just a few millimeters, is the hardest substance in the body.
Once damaged or worn away, the enamel will not grow back. The loss is permanent. We use our teeth for a long time in an aggressive way so they might sustain a lot of damage.
What Causes Enamel Loss?
The enamel on your teeth erodes when acids wear away the enamel on your teeth. Acid is the main cause of tooth enamel loss. The most common causes of acid erosion are from foods and beverages that eat away at teeth, but dry mouth can also contribute. Over time, the erosion leaves the tooth vulnerable and without its main source of protection.
Concluding that you are suffering from enamel erosion might not seem urgent. Sure, if you had just had a filling fall out or had a toothache, you’d call your dentist right away. Strangely, most people don’t feel that immediate action is necessary to address enamel erosion. Despite it not seeming urgent, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible.
How can mouthwash help?
Fluoride is an enamel superhero. It is the only substance that can re-mineralize your teeth. Fluoride is a safe, natural mineral found in groundwater and the ocean. It helps prevent tooth decay and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease.
Fluoride mouthwash protects teeth from enamel erosion and decay. When applied directly to the teeth in the form of mouthwash, it is absorbed by teeth and repairs microscopic decay. The new tooth material created by this process is even more durable than the original.
Mouthwash with fluoride helps to strengthen enamel, offering further protection against acid or anything else that can wear away that protective coating. Choose mouthwash that lists fluoride among the ingredients for everyone in your house.
Get Regular Dental Checkups
Using fluoride toothpaste and practicing good oral hygiene makes teeth resistant to decay. Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing twice per day, rinsing every day with an antibacterial mouthwash, eating a healthy diet, and regular dental visits can help lower the risk of tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about other ways to protect your tooth enamel and consult about treatment options.
Learn about different types of mouthwash that could be beneficial for your smile by calling and scheduling an appointment with the best dentists in Bristol VA. Reach our Bristol location at (276) 466-2028 or our Blountville TN location at (423) 217-1338.