Effective Techniques To Protect Brittle Teeth

Your teeth are important and it’s not just because they help you to chew food. In fact, research shows that healthy teeth help to boost confidence. The reason is surprisingly simple, if your teeth look good you’re happy to show them off. That means you’ll smile and be more confident in a variety of situations.

The biggest threat to your teeth is decay. This happens when sugar in the food and drinks you consume react with bacteria in your mouth. The result is acid that attacks the enamel. The saliva in your mouth, along with regular brushing will help to prevent damage to your enamel.

It is also a very good idea to visit a reputable dentist, such as this dentist Campsie regularly. They will check the condition of your teeth and can help to deal with any issues early. This will help to protect your teeth from harm and hopefully allow you to keep yours into old age.

What Are Brittle Teeth?

Once the enamel starts to wear your teeth will be more vulnerable to attack. This is known as brittle teeth. There are several reasons why this can happen.

• Poor oral hygiene

You should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Alongside this flossing once and using a non-alcoholic mouthwash can help. If you don’t do this, food debris and acids build up in your mouth and weaken the enamel.

• Grinding

You may grind your teeth when you’re stressed or when you’re sleeping and don’t even realize it. This damages the enamel. You’ll need to make a conscious effort to stop or you may need to talk to your dentist about a mouthguard. This will prevent you from grinding the enamel off your teeth.

• Mineral deficiency

To keep your enamel strong you need plenty of calcium and fluoride, along with other vitamins and minerals. If your diet is low in these then your teeth enamel is likely to be softer than it should. That makes it easier to destroy.

• Too much acid

Acid attacks enamel. You’ll find it in sugar-free soda, citrus fruits, and pickles, amongst other items. If you consume too many products with acid in you are likely to damage the enamel and cause yourself brittle teeth.

• Medical Condition

There are several medical conditions that can cause teeth issues but the most common is Dentinogenesis Imperfecta. This is a genetic condition that prevents the dentin inside your teeth from forming as it should. The result is a discoloured tooth and they are likely to be weaker, allowing them to fracture.

If you’ve noticed that your teeth are cracking, chipping, or suffering from decay more than usual then you probably have weak enamel, aka brittle teeth. It’s time you took steps to rectify the issue.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is an important mineral that helps strengthen enamel. It can’t replace what was there but it can make what is left stronger. Your dentist can provide you with fluoride treatments that should help to strengthen the teeth. Fluoride can be administered orally as a gel or as a supplement. Both methods are effective and non-intrusive.

Add Veneers

If your teeth have already experienced cracking and chipping then the best option to protect them may be to cover them. The simplest way to do this is to use veneers. This will give you the ‘Hollywood smile’.

In effect, thin pieces of porcelain are placed on the front of your teeth. A tiny bit of enamel is scraped away to ensure they are fixed properly. The veneers give you perfect-looking teeth and will last for years before they need to be replaced.

Crowns

In rare cases, the dentist will recommend a crown to deal with brittle teeth. This is common if you have already experienced tooth decay and had a tooth chip or break. The crown fits over what is left of the tooth and protects it, effectively eliminating the issue of brittle teeth.

Final Thoughts

If you have sensitive teeth or they appear to become damaged easily it’s important to visit your dentist and get their opinion. They will assess the issue and decide whether you have brittle teeth or not. More importantly, the dentist will be on hand to help you decide what your next step is.

Don’t forget to look at the above list and change your habits accordingly. Simply wearing a mouthguard and brushing regularly can make a big difference to the health of your teeth.