Pits in Tooth Enamel
While your teeth are designed to optimally bite and chew your food, sometimes the food can get trapped. This trapped food can lead to decay over time and the formation of pits.
Along with pits, there are other ways in which the enamel of your teeth can be damaged. If this occurs, a restorative procedure will be required to repair the tooth and ensure no further damage or decay occurs.
Below is more information about tooth enamel, what causes tooth erosion, and what treatment options may be available for eroded or pitted teeth.
What is Tooth Enamel?
Enamel is the strong and durable outer covering of teeth. While tooth enamel is extremely tough, it can’t be grown back. This means, if the enamel is damaged, it can only be repaired. It can never truly heal.
Enamel helps to protect your teeth from grinding, biting, and chewing, while also insulating your teeth from chemicals.
What Causes Enamel Erosion?
There are quite a few things that can lead to enamel erosion. Some reasons for enamel erosion include:
* Drinking soda and fruit drinks. As soda is high in acid, it eats away at your enamel. The same is the case for fruit drinks that are highly acidic.
* Grinding and clenching. Bruxism (grinding and clenching of the teeth) causes damage to the enamel and wears away at it over time.
* Acid reflux and heartburn. Acid reflux sometimes causes stomach acids to make their way into the mouth. This wears away at tooth enamel.
* Brushing too hard. While it’s important to brush, brushing too hard can wear away at the surface of teeth.
* Enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia is a genetic condition that can cause pitting. It cannot be reversed, but it can be managed to avoid serious damage to the tooth or teeth of a patient that is affected by the condition.
To avoid erosion, cut back on soda and acidic drinks. Consider changing your diet and seeking a doctor for medication if you are suffering from acid reflux. For grinding, a mouth guard may be required.
Signs to Look For
Some enamel erosion signs you should look for include:
* Cracks and chips
* Discoloration
* Pain and sensitivity
* Pits and fissures
Pits and fissures are often caused by plaque. Food particles can turn into acids and wear away at the tooth, leading to the formation of pits.
Treatment for Enamel Erosion
Once the enamel of a tooth is eroded, it cannot be regrown. With that said, sealants can help either if pits and fissures have already formed, or if a patient would like to avoid the formation of pits and fissures. If the erosion has gotten bad enough, restorative measures like the placement of a dental crown may be required.
Contact Us
For more information about the treatment and prevention of pits and tooth enamel erosion, contact us. We can discuss the condition with you and what treatment options may be available.