Dental erosion

Dental erosion is a gradual wear and tear, destruction of tooth tissue of unknown etiology.

Some scientists believe that the cause of tooth erosion is purely mechanical, others - the influence of acidic food and drinks, dysfunction of the thyroid gland. But they all agree on one thing - this is not just a cosmetic defect, but a disease. And since it is a disease, it must be treated. What is tooth erosion? It is damage to the enamel and dentin (bone matter that forms the basis of the tooth). Enamel erosion looks like a rounded or oval notch, located in the center of the tooth. It is simply necessary to treat erosion, otherwise the tooth will lose all enamel and even part of the bone tissue. Over the past 20 years, this disease has become much "younger" and has begun to progress. It is important to visit the dentist regularly, because at first, tooth erosion does not cause pain.

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Causes of dental erosion

Often, dental erosion is a consequence of endocrine system diseases (hyperthyroidism, diffuse toxic goiter, thyrotoxicosis). This is when, with very strong salivation, the density of the liquid in the oral cavity is greatly reduced.

Dental erosion can also be caused by mechanical factors (for example, a toothbrush that is too hard), frequent consumption of juices and citrus fruits, pickles and marinades. The risk group also includes people who work in hazardous industries where there are acidic fumes or metal dust in the air. Long-term use of medications with a high vitamin C content can also cause the development of dental erosion.

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Symptoms of dental erosion

Erosion is a rounded or oval damage to the enamel, which may be symmetrical, but with time the symmetry disappears. It can also have an irregular shape. It has a smooth, hard and shiny surface. The course of dental erosion occurs slowly, sometimes this process lasts for decades.

Dentists identify the following clinical symptoms of dental erosion:

• the appearance of increased tooth sensitivity;
• the appearance of toothache when you brush your teeth, from cold, hot drinks or food;
• If the affected area of the tooth is smeared with iodine, it will turn brown.
• the affected part of the tooth begins to pigment;

Several degrees of erosion can be distinguished:

1. Initial - this is when the upper layers of enamel are affected;
2. Medium – the tooth enamel is affected throughout its entire thickness;
3. Deep – not only the enamel is affected, but also the upper layers of dentin.

Erosion of hard dental tissues

Erosion of hard dental tissues is found equally symmetrically on the central and lateral incisors of the upper teeth, and in addition on the canines and premolars of the upper and lower jaws. Very rarely, erosion is located on the lower teeth.

People suffering from dental erosion are mainly middle-aged people. The disease progresses very slowly. If you have caries, and then dental erosion also occurs, the caries will progress. Changes begin in the upper layer of enamel, where large hollow zones can be diagnosed. Treatment is a 3% solution of Remodent, a course of 15-20 procedures. A type of erosion of hard dental tissues is hyperesthesia, when teeth react to temperature changes, chemical and mechanical effects. How to fight it? Use a 1-2% solution of sodium fluoride. It is necessary to undergo about ten sessions.

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Treatment of dental erosion

Of course, the treatment of dental erosion is quite a long process. The simplest thing you need to do is to stick to a specific diet. For you, in general, it is only necessary to reduce the use of citrus fruits, fruit juices, and soda. Try to eat and drink warm, not hot, because low temperatures are less harmful to teeth. Rinse your mouth after each meal, use chewing gum, it will not only freshen your breath, but also increase salivation. Buy fluoride toothpaste.

If tooth erosion has already gone too far, then you need to turn to drug treatment. In any case, the treatment of tooth erosion will depend on the stage of the disease. If the stage of the disease is active, then the main task will be to stabilize the process. To do this, you need to mineralize the teeth. In order to replenish the hard matter of the tooth with calcium and phosphorus, you should do paste applications for three or four days for 15-20 minutes. For another three days, fluoride gel is applied to the sore area for 2-3 minutes. At the end of the procedures, fluoride varnish is applied. If you are prescribed the application method, you will need to undergo at least 15 procedures.

It is very good to conduct a procedure of electrophoresis with a ten percent solution of calcium gluconate in case of dental erosion. After the procedure, it is necessary to apply a tampon with a 2% solution of sodium fluoride. Treatment with electrophoresis will consist of twenty procedures.

During dental treatment the following is prescribed:

• calcium salt - 0.5 g 3 times a day for 1 month;
• clamin (1-2 tablets) or fitolon (30 drops) - 2-3 times a day 15 minutes before meals for 1-2 months;
• multivitamins Kvadevit or Complivit - 3-4 tablets per day after breakfast.

Many experts believe that filling is ineffective in the case of tooth erosion, since pathologies of marginal adhesion often occur. If you nevertheless decide to have a filling, pay attention to some points. Before the filling procedure, it is necessary to demineralize the hard materials of the tooth with a solution of 10% calcium nitrate and aluminum acid phosphate. Composite substances should be used for filling. Calcium gluconate is prescribed orally at 0.5 g three times a day for a month.

Surgical treatment of dental erosion

Long gone are the days when surgical dentistry served only to remove diseased teeth. Tooth extraction is now only a part of the practice of surgical dentistry. Its main activity is aimed precisely at preserving the tooth. In modern clinics, much attention is paid to the so-called tooth-preserving operations. These include the removal of various formations in bone and soft tissues, removal of tooth roots. Laser treatment of dental erosion is possible. There is excess moisture in affected teeth, with the help of a laser, excess moisture can be removed from the tooth, after this operation the enamel will significantly thicken. The laser disinfects the tooth. When treating with a laser, the possibility of affecting healthy tissues or introducing an infection is excluded. If you suffer from an allergy to anesthetics, then laser treatment does not require pain relief.

Treatment of dental erosion in folk medicine

Many people suffering from dental erosion prefer to turn to folk medicine rather than traditional medicine. Folk methods can successfully eliminate pain, strengthen enamel and gums, but they rarely treat the cause of the disease itself. Folk medicine offers many different recipes. We present to your attention some of them.

Eggplants

We will not need the whole eggplant, but only its peel. It needs to be washed well and dried. Then grind into powder. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tbsp of powder and let it brew. Store in the refrigerator, use to rinse your mouth after every meal.

Oak bark

Oak bark is known as an excellent antimicrobial and tanning agent. 1 tbsp. of crushed and dried oak bark is poured with a glass of boiling water and brought to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer the broth on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Rinse your mouth with the resulting broth 2-3 times a day.

Tea tree oil

In addition to the fact that tea tree oil strengthens and reduces painful sensations, your breath will become fresh. How to use: take a glass of warm water and dilute 3-4 drops of tea tree oil in it. Rinse your mouth 3 times a day.

Prevention of dental erosion

First of all, it is necessary to establish the etiology of the erosion. If the main etiological factor is food, then it is necessary to reduce the consumption of food that may contain acid. If you are a big fan of water with lemon, soda, fruit juices, then you need to drink them quickly or through a straw. Note that among natural juices, blackcurrant juice is very harmful to teeth with erosion. The most gentle juice is apple juice.

• Choose the right oral hygiene products. Use gels with 1% fluoride and neutral pH 2 times a week.
• After eating, eat cheese, as cheese neutralizes the acidity of food.
• You shouldn't brush your teeth immediately after eating, wait about half an hour.
• Choose a toothpaste with a low abrasive effect.
• For oral hygiene, choose brushes with soft bristles, brush your teeth with light circular movements, and brush your front teeth from top to bottom, from the inside to the outside.
• Modern dental clinics have a wide range of sealants available to help protect against dental erosion.
• Be sure to check with an endocrinologist. 75% of dental erosion is caused by thyroid disease with increased function.
• Avoid the whitening procedure, it damages the integrity of the enamel.
• Drink warm tea, not boiling water. Include fish in your diet, because it is rich in phosphorus and calcium, which are good for tooth enamel.
• Don't skimp on buying a quality toothbrush. New toothbrushes should be purchased every 2-2.5 months, so that the brush does not become a breeding ground for all sorts of infections.
• Visit your dentist every six months to have your teeth coated with a fluoride film. It prevents further enamel destruction and prevents calcium leaching.

Dental Erosion Prognosis

If you do not treat dental erosion, then the advanced disease can lead to tooth loss. To save or remove a tooth, this decision is often made by the patient himself. Some patients prefer to remove a tooth than to treat it, citing high cost and lack of time. However, it is worth considering that if a dental implant is not installed in place of the removed tooth as soon as possible, the entire jaw will begin to change. And then it snowballs: implantation, prosthetics. Is it really cheaper? The better the treatment, the more favorable the prognosis will be in the long term. And, of course, do not forget about prevention.

Tooth erosion is an extremely unpleasant disease. Timely visits to the dentist and prevention are effective methods of combating this disease. Compliance with the rules of treatment and prevention will help you avoid severe forms of erosion.

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