We encourage all of our patients to brush twice per day, for two minutes each time, and floss every night before bed. Maintaining a good dental hygiene routine is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent acid erosion from damaging your child’s tooth enamel. Cracks and chips – Throughout the process of erosion, the edges of the teeth can become rougher, more irregular, or jagged.Sensitivity – In the later stages of enamel erosion, the underlying layer of dentin can become exposed, causing painful sensitivity.

Translucence – As the enamel continues to wear away, teeth can become noticeably thinner, giving the edges of the teeth a translucent quality.

Yellowing – If a significant amount of enamel has been worn away from the tooth, the dentin layer underneath can become more visible, yellowing the surface slightly.

Dull or discolored teeth – As enamel begins to wear away, the teeth can lose their shine, giving them a dull or discolored appearance.

Rounded edges – The edges of the teeth are exposed to the most acid wear, so they will tend to the first signs of erosion.

Some of the signs and symptoms they’ll be looking for include: While you may not be able to see any initial signs of acid erosion in your child’s smile, experienced dentists like ours will be able to observe and assess them during regular check-ups. But if the decay is left to extend and penetrate the tooth, it can affect the nerves, potentially causing painful abscesses or infection. If there are small cavities as a result, they may not cause any noticeable effects initially. When enamel erodes, it leaves the tooth more susceptible to decay. Keep in mind that even “sugar free” drinks or flavor drops still contain acids that can erode your child’s teeth enamel, so be mindful about consumption.

Environmental factors such as friction, wear and tear, stress, and corrosion.

A diet that is high in sugars and starches.

Dry mouth or low salivary flow, also known as xerostomia.

Additional common causes of acid erosion include: Fruit juices, sports drinks, and energy drinks are other culprits. Soft drinks are a frequent contributor of erosive acids, due to their high levels of phosphoric and citric acids. However, most of the damage tends to be done by the foods and drinks our children consume. It can also be caused by certain medications and medical conditions. There are some natural causes of acid erosion, such as acid reflux and tooth grinding. Unlike other parts of your body – your bones, for instance – enamel does not contain any living cells, so it cannot regenerate.This is why it’s so important to try and prevent acid from eroding your child’s teeth in the first place! What can cause acid erosion of the enamel? Fluoride can help strengthen it, but your body will not make more to replace what has been lost. These spots occur where the enamel has completely eroded, exposing the sensitive dentin layer beneath.

Over time, this erosion can become so severe that visible spots of wear may appear on a child’s teeth. Enamel forms a strong barrier that helps protect the inner layers of the teeth from the effects of acids and plaque, and from foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold.Īcid erosion thins enamel, making it more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. It’s made up of mostly minerals, and is the hardest substance in the body. The enamel on our teeth is the most visible part, covering the outer layer of each tooth. Let’s take a closer look at what tooth enamel actually is, what causes acid erosion, and what you can do to prevent it! What is tooth enamel? However, there are many simple steps you can take as a parent to protect your child’s smile and keep their tooth enamel healthy. Because we offer both preventive and restorative services, we know firsthand the ways that acid erosion can affect a child’s mouth. Here at Children’s Dental Center, we are committed to providing excellent pediatric dental care to kids across Memphis and the Mid-South. This can leave a child’s teeth susceptible to tooth decay, cavities, and even gum disease. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense your teeth have against plaque and cavities, but it can still be eroded despite how strong it is.

Edges of teeth translucent