Spokane Dental
One common dental problem we hear about often here in our Spokane dentist office is the issue of tooth erosion. Tooth erosion is what occurs when enamel is worn away by acid, such as from certain foods or beverages. The problems you can experience as a result of tooth erosion can be mild, such as discoloration, or quite severe, including, deep indentations or tooth pitting, cracked teeth and severe sensitivity. Our professionals are committed to patient education and it is our mission to inform our patients on issues of prevention regarding common dental problems. Allow us to make some suggestions to help you avoid potential tooth erosion. Since acidic foods and beverages are the leading culprits of tooth erosion, it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after consuming these substances to help neutralize acid in your mouth. You will also want to wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking anything acidic. This will give your teeth an opportunity to remineralize. The phosphoric acid in many carbonated beverages is also very damaging to tooth enamel. The dental professionals here in our Spokane dentist office recommend reducing your consumption of these beverages or replacing them with other healthier options. One thing many people don’t think of, but that can really help limit your exposure to acids is to simply use a straw when drinking acidic beverages like fruit juices-these are very high in natural acids-coffee or tea. This is also a good idea when drinking anything overly sweet. Liquids will go straight to the back of the mouth rather than washing all around the teeth. Also resist the temptation to swish acidic liquids around in your mouth before swallowing. Your dental professional may also recommend that you chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum can help increase saliva flow, which also helps with remineralization. Our Spokane dentists often suggest this to our patients. You should always use a soft toothbrush and brush with fluoride toothpaste. Did you know that fluoride can help reduce tooth sensitivity? If sensitivity is severe you can talk to one of our dental professionals in our Spokane dentist office about prescribing fluoride for you that you can brush on and let sit on your teeth awhile before brushing. This oftentimes significantly reduces tooth sensitivity after regular usage of the fluoride product. There can be several different factors that can contribute to tooth erosion. It’s therefore important to discuss with a dental professional any concerns you may have about tooth erosion and the care you can take to minimize this condition if you are already seeing signs of it. Your dental professional can then make recommendations as to dental products that can help manage the condition. Dentists in our Spokane dentist office are currently accepting new patients and can provide excellent advice for this and all other dental issues.
