Do your teeth look different now than they used to? Some degree of change to a person’s smile can occur over time because of dental wear and tear. This problem can be difficult to fully avoid – the friction created whenever you bite and chew can gradually erode layers of your enamel. However, if the problem is serious enough to make you unhappy with your smile, or worried about your oral health, you should make sure you bring it up with your dentist. At our Seattle, WA dental practice, we can help you maintain your oral health during regular dental exams, and by providing guidance on smart oral care practices between visits. While advanced wear and tear can be the result of many different factors, it is possible for certain diet choices to weaken your enamel, and speed up this problem.
Understanding The Impact Your Diet Can Have On Your Smile
When it comes to protecting your smile, you need to think about more than just avoiding sugar. Sugar is certainly a potential threat – after all, you can face a higher risk for tooth decay if you consume too many sweets – but it is not the only factor that can make certain foods and drinks trouble for you. Acidic foods and drinks are capable of softening enamel, which can make you more vulnerable to erosion over time. Soft drinks can be particularly threatening because they are highly acidic while also being packed with sugar. If you regularly chew on tough foods, the greater friction produced on your enamel can also be a problem.
Is Dental Wear And Tear Something I Should Discuss With My Dentist?
At regular dental exams, your dentist will check on the degree of wear and tear that might be affecting teeth. Looking out for this problem is important for many reasons. When patients have an unexpected degree of wear and tear, it could be because of bruxism, a problem that can ultimately lead to serious chips and cracks in teeth. It can also point to problems with weak enamel, or poor habits. If you have fallen out of the habit of regular exams, and think you might have visible wear and tear, make sure you set up an appointment. You can discuss possible damage to your smile, and also enjoy the many important benefits preventive dental care makes available.
Making Changes To Better Protect Your Teeth
If you want to make sure your teeth remain healthy, it can be important to commit to semiannual dental exams. Between visits, make sure you limit your consumption of acidic, sugary, and hard foods. You should also be careful not to develop a habit of chewing on hard surfaces like ice cubes and pen caps. In addition to causing more wear and tear, this habit can lead to you breaking a tooth!
Talk To Ballard Neighborhood Dentist If You Are Concerned About Dental Wear And Tear
At Ballard Neighborhood Dentist, patients who are concerned about dental wear and tear can reach out to us to arrange an evaluation. To make your appointment, or to learn more about us, please call our Seattle, WA dental practice at 206-789-2555.
