Our teeth are remarkably strong. Under ideal circumstances, brushing and flossing as recommended and visiting the dentist every six months for cleanings would be all that was required to maintain a strong and healthy smile. But we don’t live under ideal circumstances – and many people will face tooth wear despite their best efforts.
One of the leading causes of enamel erosion is improper brushing technique. Aggressive brushing, using a medium-bristled toothbrush, and using abrasive toothpaste can all lead to premature tooth wear and increase risks for sensitivity, cavities, infection, and tooth loss. In these cases, switching up your routine can be incredibly beneficial. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, a nonabrasive toothpaste, and brush with less intensity to reduce the risks of accidentally damaging teeth while trying to care for them.
Aggressive brushing is easy to stop. So too is the consumption of sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices – all of which are directly linked to premature enamel erosion. Drinking these beverages through a straw can help minimize damage but avoiding them completely is always the safest bet.
Other causes of enamel erosion include:
- Tooth grinding – also known as bruxism, tooth grinding can wear down enamel and make teeth easier to chip, crack, and brake
- Bulimia – frequent vomiting will rapidly erode enamel, resulting in teeth that are brittle and almost translucent
- Aging – as we age, even normal functions like biting and chewing can begin to wear teeth down
Of course, you can’t do anything about aging, but you can take steps to reduce your active contributions to rapid enamel erosion. Stress reduction is a great way to deal with bruxism. So too are the professional teeth grinding treatments offered by our Cherry Creek dentists.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, we cannot encourage you strongly enough to begin working immediately with both a physician and nutritionist. The Eating Disorder Foundation and EDCare (formerly the Eating Disorder Center of Denver) offer a number of resources for people struggling with bulimia, anorexia, and other eating disorders. These disorders are manageable and, with proper help, can be beaten. Once that’s happened, we can step in and restore those teeth that frequent vomiting and nutrient deficiencies have damaged.
Restoring Damaged Teeth
One of the easiest ways to address teeth that have become worn down is same day dental crowns. These are milled in our office and placed during a single office visit, allowing you to leave your appointment with a customized, natural-looking, and durable restoration designed to produce immediate benefits.
Dental bonding and porcelain veneers may also be considered to restore eroded teeth. These options will not cover a tooth in the same way as a CEREC dental crown, but they can strengthen and beautify teeth that have become worn down. The best way to learn which options are right for your smile is through a one-on-one consultation with one of our Denver cosmetic dentists.
To schedule your appointment with one of our Denver cosmetic dentists, please call DeWitt Dental Associates at 303-321-5656 today. Located in Cherry Creek, we serve the entire Metro Denver area as well as those communities nestled in the Foothills and located along the I-25 Corridor