Tooth enamel erosion is the process
during which the acids produced by the bacteria in our mouths after they come
into contact with the sugars that we consume weaken and break down the
protective layer on the surface of the teeth.
The process starts when the
bacteria in our mouth come into contact with sugar – as most foods and
beverages contain sugar, even the ones that are not sweet, this happens all the
time. When the bacteria meet sugars, they start producing acids that weaken the
enamel on the surface of the tooth and cause it to become thinner. When the
enamel on the tooth is not sufficiently thick, the softer, more sensitive
layers of the tooth underneath become exposed, causing pain and allowing the
erosion to aggravate.
Besides tooth sensitivity, the
other early signs of enamel erosion include discoloration, while in more severe
cases, cavities start to appear where the enamel has become dissolved. The
areas that are the most susceptible to cavities is the small space where two
adjacent teeth meet because that is where food particles tend to become
trapped. If the problems caused by the eroded enamel are not treated in a
timely manner and the damaged area stays exposed to the harmful action of
acids, the cavities can penetrate even deeper into the teeth, causing very
painful inflammations and infections that require lengthy treatment.
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