The enamel of your teeth is made up of a crystalline mineral structure. Everyday acidic foods and the natural bacteria in your mouth can attack these minerals on a microscopic level. If you do not have enough fluoride exposure in your daily activities, this can cause a miniscule loss of enamel integrity. If this happens on a long enough period of time it can cause enamel erosion which exposes the sensitive layer of your teeth.
Early symptoms of acid erosion include teeth that have become sensitive to heat and cold, sweet or acidic foods. While you can sometime mitigate these problems by brushing your teeth with a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, you will none-the-less still be at increased risk for fractures and tooth decay.
The fluoride treatments offered by your dentist are a great way to help restore some of the lost strength of your enamel. The procedure is very simple and can often be performed after you routine dental checkup. The dentist pours fluoride gel is poured into trays and held in your mouth for a short period of time. This can help by increasing the remineralization of the crystalline structures that make up your tooth enamel.
If you have well water you might want to also talk to your dentist about prescription fluoride supplements or toothpaste gels that you can use at home.
It’s also a good idea to choose a brand of toothpaste with added fluoride. Just be sure to select one with added fluoride and that has earned the ADA seal of acceptance. Some brands of antiseptic mouthwash also come with added fluoride.
If you have sensitive teeth caused by enamel erosion please feel free to call us at 540-657-0867 to schedule an appointment.