7 Common Causes of Dental Erosion

Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer that protects your teeth. It keeps your smile strong. But once that enamel wears away, it does not grow back. Many things in daily life can cause this damage. This condition is called tooth erosion. It can lead to tooth pain, color changes, and tooth loss. This guide explains all the main dental erosion causes. It also shows signs to watch for and how to stop it before it gets worse.

What Is Tooth Erosion?

Tooth erosion means the hard coating on your teeth, called enamel, gets worn down. This happens when acid touches your teeth again and again. The acid can come from foods like fruit, drinks like soda, or from your stomach if you have acid reflux or vomit often. When enamel wears away, your teeth have less protection. Unlike cavities, which come from bacteria, erosion comes only from acid. Best dentist Arizona can treat this problem and stop it from getting worse.

What Causes Dental Erosion?

Tooth erosion can happen for many reasons. Acid is the main cause. Many people do not know how often they expose their teeth to acid. Here are the most common dental erosion causes.

Acidic Foods and Drinks

Fruits like lemons and oranges, tomato sauces, and vinegar-based dressings have strong acid. These foods soften enamel each time they touch your teeth. If you brush right after eating them, you may lose even more enamel. This is one of the most common dental erosion causes in everyday meals.

Sugary Sodas and Energy Drinks

These drinks have acid and sugar. The acid attacks the enamel. The sugar feeds bacteria, which make even more acid. If you sip these drinks throughout the day, your teeth stay under acid attack for hours. This makes sodas and energy drinks major dental erosion causes.

Acid Reflux or GERD

People with acid reflux or GERD bring stomach acid into their mouths. This acid is very strong. It coats the teeth and slowly wears down enamel. This often happens at night when there is less saliva to protect the teeth. Reflux is one of the hidden dental erosion causes that people often miss.

Frequent Vomiting

When people vomit often, stomach acid reaches the teeth. This happens with morning sickness, illness, or eating disorders. That acid damages the back and inside of the teeth first. Vomiting again and again becomes one of the medical dental erosion causes that dentists can spot during a check-up.

Dry Mouth or Low Saliva Flow

Saliva helps protect your teeth from acid. It washes away food and balances acid in the mouth. If you have a dry mouth, acid stays on your teeth longer. This increases the damage. Medications, health problems, or aging can cause dry mouth. This is one of the less obvious dental erosion causes.

Certain Medications

Some medications cause dry mouth. Others have acid in them. These include aspirin, allergy pills, and asthma inhalers. When you use them every day, the acid or dry mouth increases tooth damage. Medications are common dental erosion causes that many patients do not realize.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Not brushing or flossing lets acid and plaque build-up. Brushing too hard or using a stiff brush harms enamel. Brushing right after eating acidic foods can rub off the soft enamel. These daily habits are simple dental erosion causes that you can fix.

Symptoms of Tooth Erosion

Look for these signs if you think your enamel is wearing away:

• Teeth feel sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet.
• Teeth look yellow or darker than normal.
• Small cracks or chips appear.
• Edges of teeth feel rough or sharp.
• Teeth look thin or flat.
• Chewing surfaces feel dented or uneven.

How to Treat Dental Erosion?

If your enamel has damage, your dentist in Phoenix, AZ, can help. There are safe ways to protect your teeth:

• Fluoride makes enamel stronger and helps reduce pain.
• Bonding covers small damaged spots.
• Veneers or crowns protect and restore worn teeth.
• Changes to food, drinks, and brushing can stop more damage.

How Can I Stop Enamel Erosion?

You can stop enamel loss with smart habits:

• Drink less soda and fruit juice.
• Rinse your mouth with water after eating acidic foods.
• Use a straw for acid drinks.
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing.
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Chew sugar-free gum to help saliva flow.
• Visit your dentist twice a year.

Dental Erosion Treatment Near Me in Phoenix

If you live in Phoenix and notice enamel damage, Central Valley Dentistry is here to help. We find the exact cause of your tooth erosion. We create a treatment plan that fits your needs. We treat all dental erosion causes with care and experience. Make an online appointment now to protect your teeth and stop further damage.

Last Words

Tooth erosion is slow, but it causes big problems. Enamel protects your teeth. When it wears away, your teeth become weak and painful. Most dental erosion causes come from daily habits or health problems. Knowing what to avoid and what to change helps you stop the damage early. Getting help from your dentist is the best way to keep your smile safe.

FAQs