Erosion of teeth: a description, causes, symptoms and features of treatment

Erosion of the teeth is a non-carious pathology, which is characterized by pathologically rapid erasure of the enamel. Most often, the problem can be noticed on the convex outer part of the tooth.

Peculiarities of pathology development

Erosion of teeth begins with the defeat of the uppermost enamel layer. Its color becomes faded, the bottom of the damage is very hard and smooth. Very unpleasant symptoms begin to appear.

It should be noted that many dentists can call this problem cosmetic. However, this is not quite true. Without treatment, the problem quickly progresses. In addition to enamel, dentin - hard tooth tissue can be affected. Then you should already talk about a full-fledged tooth disease, which can lead to their loss.

In most cases, small molars, incisors and fangs are damaged. However, in the absence of therapy, pathology will spread to other teeth. Treatment of the disease is not difficult, but it should be timely. The first thing to do is call the dentist urgently.

What is the difference between erosion and other pathologies?

Diagnosis of the disease should be thorough and attentive, as it can be confused with other problems of the jaw.

Erosion of teeth is very similar to caries and wedge-shaped defect. However, in the first case, the concomitant disease is characterized by a rough surface of the enamel. When eroded, it is smooth. A wedge-shaped defect is found in the root region. The teeth lose their normal form.

Causes of the disease

Erosion of the teeth can be provoked by such factors:

1. Mechanical damage to enamel, which can be obtained due to improper care, bruxism (dental scrape), gastritis, incorrectly selected toothpaste, bleaching.
2. The erosion of the tissues of the teeth is provoked by the pathology of the thyroid gland or the endocrine system as a whole.
3. The increased load on the enamel, which is obtained due to an incorrect bite, insufficient number of teeth in the mouth (the load is distributed unevenly at the same time). An incorrectly installed prosthesis can also lead to the fact that enamel on "native" teeth will be erased much faster.
4. The use of some medications that have an aggressive effect on enamel.
5. Work in production with severe conditions. For example, if the patient works in the shop, where there is a lot of metal or mineral dust. Getting on the enamel, such a peculiar abrasive material damages it.
6. Chemical effects: the use of carbonated drinks and products with a high amount of acid. It is advisable to use them so that they do not touch the surface of the teeth.

Consequences of pathology

It should be noted that tooth enamel erosion is manifested mainly in middle age. It can develop for about 15 years. Naturally, the disease leaves some consequences:

• Dental wear occurs very quickly. In almost a few weeks you will see changes on the surface of the crowns.
• The color of the crowns becomes dark. This is especially noticeable if erosion has reached hard tissues.
• Increases the sensitivity of teeth, which causes problems with chewing food. Since the barrier surrounding the nerve becomes very thin, brushing your teeth and consuming cold (hot) meals will cause pain.
• The edges of the damaged teeth are so thin that they look transparent.

In addition, in the absence of treatment, erosion of hard tooth tissues can occur. This, in turn, provokes the appearance of pain, as well as the destruction of teeth.

Stages of development

There are only three of them:

• The initial. At this stage, tissue damage is not noticeable. You may even not have a suspicion that the problem exists. At this stage, the development of pathology may not even be noticed by an experienced doctor.
• Average. Here, the erosion of the tissues of the teeth reaches the dentin, but does not affect it. However, the defect is visible with the naked eye.
• Deep. At this stage, the hard tissue (dentin) also begins to break down. There may already be discomfort and pain. And discomfort can manifest with varying intensity.

Phases of disease development

The process of destruction of enamel is uneven. In connection with this, it is possible to single out such phases of development:

1. Active. In this case, the enamel is erased with great speed. This phase is characterized by excessive sensitivity of the crowns to various stimuli. If the process is not suspended, then the tissues will collapse rapidly.
2. Stabilized. This phase is characterized by a very slow course of destructive processes. During this period a person can feel pain, but it is very weakly expressed. The fact is that the body tries to fight the destruction process on its own, and as the defect develops, the tertiary dentin begins to appear in the lesion. It produces pulp. In some ways, this layer is a protection against the destruction of dentin. At this phase, the enamel is gradually strengthened. The doctor must ensure that the stabilized phase lasts as long as possible.

As you can see, the process of enamel loss is not so simple. But untimely therapy can lead to tooth loss.

Symptomatology of pathology

The erosion of the teeth (you have already considered its causes) is expressed in different ways. Symptomatology depends on the stage and features of the development of the disease. We can distinguish such signs:

• The first stage is characterized by loss of gloss enamel. Most often the teeth become white, but dull. At this stage there is no pain.
• At the second stage, discomfort appears, the color becomes darker.
• The third stage is characterized by a palpable pain that occurs when eating or brushing your teeth. The shade of the decaying areas is changing. If the enamel is completely erased, then spots of brown are visible on this place.

Features of diagnosis of the disease

If you assume that you are developing tooth erosion, treatment should be started only after a close examination and consultation of the doctor. Otherwise, you can make a mistake in choosing a therapy and hurt yourself even more. Diagnostics includes such procedures:

• External examination of teeth. Thanks to him, the doctor will determine the presence of the problem, can differentiate it from other pathological conditions of enamel and dental tissues. Perhaps, at the stage of the examination, the doctor will be able to determine the causes that triggered the destruction process.
• Drying of the damage by an air jet with application of iodine. This procedure will help determine the location of erosion.
• Hormonal analysis and ultrasound of the thyroid gland. This study is necessary to confirm or deny that the disease is associated with endocrine disorders.

Features of treatment

Recently, dental patients have a widespread form of tooth erosion, in which the defect does not reach the dentin. In this case, the disease is the easiest to cure.

In general, with this pathology, rehabilitation therapy is carried out. It provides for the implementation of such procedures:

1. Remineralization of enamel. The patient will have to apply to the teeth every day applications of funds containing calcium and fluoride. The procedure should be carried out for 2-3 weeks (depending on the degree of damage to the surface). After completing the course on enamel, it is required to apply fluorinated varnish. Thanks to this procedure, the patient has the opportunity to get rid of too high tooth sensitivity.
2. Enamel mineralization using physiotherapy procedures. For example, electrophoresis with calcium is effective. In this case, the substance is absorbed more quickly and is absorbed by the enamel.
3. Restoration procedures. They are used only if other methods of treatment have proved ineffective. Here, veneers, crowns or a light curing composite are used for restoration.
4. General therapeutic measures that are carried out in a stabilized phase. For example, the patient is recommended to take multivitamin and mineral complexes. Naturally, the doctor should take care of changing the shade of enamel in the places of erosion. For this, polishing, moderate bleaching can be used.

Please note that tooth filling during erosion does not give a positive effect. You have to restore the layer of enamel, and not close the carious holes.

Preventive measures

Despite the fact that the treatment of such a disease is not difficult, it is better to warn him. If your teeth are expensive, try to observe such preventive measures:

• Refuse or reduce the use of those foods that contain a large number of food acids. If you like carbonated drinks, then try to drink them so as to avoid contact with the enamel. For this you can just use the tube.
• Do not eat very hot or very cold food, especially one time. A sharp temperature drop can cause cracking of the enamel.
• After eating, rinse the mouth with a special rinse aid or ordinary warm water. This will neutralize the negative impact of certain products.
• Try to brush your teeth correctly. Use soft toothbrushes and paste without abrasive particles. It is better to start cleaning from the inner surface, do not press too much on the bristles. It is advisable to brush your teeth after each meal, but the best option is to continue to regimen - twice a day.
• Visit the dentist every six months. This will provide an opportunity to identify pathology at an early stage of development.

If you still have an erosion of the enamel of the teeth, the treatment will allow you to avoid their complete destruction. Be healthy!