The Difference Between Tooth Erosion And Tooth Decay

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Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, and, as such, it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, just like the rest of your body, your tooth enamel needs to be taken care of to ensure it maintains it’s strength for the rest of your life.

Without proper maintenance, your tooth enamel can fail, causing pain that requires various types of dental work, like root canals, cavities, or entire implants.

Tooth decay and cavities are enamel enemy number one, but tooth erosion can cause just as many problems in your mouth.

Tooth Erosion – Symptoms and Causes

Your tooth enamel goes through a lot. Between the constant chewing, dealing with stomach acid, and the various extra uses your teeth are called upon to do (like opening that bags of chips), your enamel is susceptible to erosion that can cause discolouring and sensitivity later on in life.

Symptoms:

  • discoloured or translucent teeth

  • sensitivity

  • increased tooth decay

  • fractured teeth or rough edges resulting from fractures

Causes of tooth erosion:

  • sugary, starchy, or acidic food, juices and sodas

  • teeth grinding

  • chronic acid reflux

  • dry mouth, or xerostomia

  • long-term use of certain medications, like antihistamines or aspirin

  • excessive exposure to stomach acid (often a result of excessive vomiting)

  • Brushing your teeth with too much pressure

Tooth Decay – Symptoms and Causes

There are a lot of crevices and corners in your mouth that can catch food as we eat it, especially sticky candies. Our saliva’s job is to wash away all that trapped food, but it doesn’t always do a good enough job. When that food remains for an extended period of time, it turns into plaque, creating an acid that erodes enamel and causes tooth decay and cavities, essentially holes in your teeth that expose the very sensitive root of the tooth.

Symptoms:

  • Toothaches and pains

  • Discolouring

  • Noticeable pits in teeth

Causes of tooth decay:

  • Foods high in carbohydrates or sugars stuck in our teeth

  • Lack of brushing

How to keep your teeth healthy

The good news, by keeping a good oral health care regime, with regular brushing, flossing and rinsing, you can head off both tooth erosion and decay. Pair those at home maintenance techniques with regular dentist visits and you will help your teeth stay healthy and strong through your life.

Call today to set up your dentist appointment to keep your teeth happy and healthy.

Jordana Gagnon