The fight against plaque must be taken seriously in order to avoid the erosion of teeth. You should brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day in order to remove plaque from your teeth. If left unchecked, plaque can attack the enamel and compromise teeth, causing them to erode.
Signs of teeth erosion can include discolouration of your teeth, as the enamel is worn away which is naturally white in colour, allowing substances like tea and coffee to influence the colour of your teeth. Your teeth might become more sensitive too as the nerves inside your teeth are exposed. In some cases the actual shape of your teeth can change as they become more rounded.
If teeth erosion progresses then your teeth might actually begin to crack and you might have visible dents in your teeth. Ultimately the tooth will begin to fail and will either fall out or need to be removed because it is so unhealthy.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to let your dentist know. What will probably happen is that your dentist will advise you to tighten up your oral hygiene routine by improving your brushing technique and making sure you floss. Enamel is strengthened by the consumption of fluoride so you might be advised to use tooth paste which is enriched with fluoride or take fluoride supplements
It is best to prevent tooth erosion by watching what you eat and taking care of your teeth properly. This is far more preferable to having to have a tooth replaced or covered by a crown. Talk to your Leeds dentist if you are worried about teeth erosion and want to know more about the causes and effects.
Tags: plaque, teeth erosion
