Does drinking wine make my teeth sensitive?
It could. Wine can cause erosion of the protective layer of the teeth.
How does Enamel protect your teeth?
Enamel is kind of like an eggshell. It’s the hardest substance in our body and protects the softer part of the tooth inside.
What is Tooth Erosion?
However, decades of biting, chewing, crunching, and clenching starting to cause irreparable damage. Enamel can be chipped or cracked. Unlike bone, it can’t grow back on its own.
Our mouth is constantly consuming something throughout the day. Frequent exposure to acids (foods, sports drink, and juices) can lead this hard strong layer of the teeth to erode, make it thinner or missing completely in some areas.
Teeth with damaged enamel can react to heat or cold. Eating ice cream or sipping hot coffee can be a pain, or at least unpleasant.
What are the factors that cause erosion of the enamel?
1. Acids.
This tooth erosion, concerns me the most, because is the most common chronic condition witnessed in children from ages 5-17 and leads easily to cavities.
Acids from soft drink, sports drinks, fruit juice, wine.
As a result of frequent exposure, the enamel layer is lost and the teeth become exposed to the acids and bacteria in the mouth, causing sensitivity and teeth susceptibility to cavities.
Wine Lovers, Beware thatswishing the wine in your mouth — puts your enamel in contact with harmful acids.
That’s why it’s better to drink a glass of wine, soda, or sweet tea with a meal instead of sipping it over few hours.
2. Medications.
Certain medications (such as aspirin and antihistamines) introduce acids or substances of similar concentration in the mouth which leads to enamel decay.
3. Eating and digestive problems.
Acid reflux, stomach problems, can increase the acidity in the mouth quite a bit. Eating disorder such as bulimia, associated with frequent vomiting can brings high levels of acid into the mouth because stomach acid enters the mouth because of frequent vomiting.
4. Harmful chewing habits.
Your Mouth Is Not a Bottle Opener!
Do not open containers with your teeth. You could chip or crack them.
Chewing constantly on something, like pens or fingernails, or chomping down on seeds, popcorn kernels, or ice could have the same result over longer period of time.
5. Dry Mouth.
Saliva helps buffering the acids in your mouth that erode your teeth. Its presence helps preserve tooth enamel. If you have a dry mouth caused by medications or health condition, the acids stick around longer.
6. Grinding Teeth.
Another cause of tooth enamel damage is bruxism, or teeth grinding (for some people clenching). Over time, the constant forced friction can wear down or fracture the enamel. Bruxism is often worst when you sleep and that’s when you can’t control it. Reducing stress may help. Some people wear a special mouth guard to bed. Ask your dentist if this is a problem for you to fit you with a custom one.
What are some Tooth Erosion warning signs?
Like many health problems, tooth erosion also comes with certain signs:
Discoloration: This is probably the first thing that people with enamel erosion experience. As the enamel layer wards off, the dentin (yellow color) is exposed and begins to appear yellowish.
Sensitivity: When the enamel layer is destroyed, the teeth become more sensitive to certain foods and their temperatures. As the erosion progresses, the teeth become highly sensitive to cold, hot, sweets and sour.
Cracks and Chips: Enamel erosion leads to the edge of the teeth becoming more rough, jagged and irregular.
How can Tooth Erosion be prevented?
Lower intake of acidic food and drinks: reducing the consumption of food that harms the teeth can prove to be very effective for the teeth. It is a wise decision to avoid highly foods and drinks that are carbonated as well as citrus in nature.
Chewing sugar-free gum: In some cases, dry mouth (and hence reduced salivary flow) is the major cause of enamel erosion. Chewing sugar-free gum can increase the flow of saliva in the body and regulate the acidity in the mouth. Chewing-gums with sugar are not recommended because sugar triggers the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Using Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride is good for the teeth as it strengthens them and decreases their vulnerability to erosion. Under normal circumstances, saliva produces just enough protection for the teeth. However, if you have sensitivity, visiting your dentist and seeking dental in addition to avoiding certain food and maintaining good oral hygiene routine is the best thing to do.