Tooth enamel must withstand many stresses: eating, drinking, chewing or other stimuli such as bruxomania (teeth grinding) are daily stresses. The high resistance of the enamel protects the lower layers of the tooth from wear. That said, it is itself exposed to many constraints, which causes its progressive degradation.
If the enamel is damaged, the risk of caries and other dental pathologies increases, which can lead, in the worst case, to tooth loss. In addition, the enamel protects the tooth from demineralization by the acids produced after the meal by the sugars which are transformed during their degradation.
Since tooth enamel does not contain any nervous tissue and is not vascularized, it is not sensitive to temperature variations (for example when we ingest hot or cold meals or drinks or breathe in cold air through the mouth). Teeth reacting with sensitivity or sharp, brief pain may signal degradation of tooth enamel. The denuded dentinal canals, which transmit this stimulus through the nerve, are the cause.
Signs of tooth enamel degradation
Do you sometimes feel pain when you drink or eat cold or hot food? Have your teeth taken on a more yellow hue or have they become “transparent” around the edges? These two symptoms can be signs of degradation of tooth enamel:
The cause of dental hypersensitivity lies in the fact that the dentinal tubules, usually closed by the enamel, are exposed. Unlike tooth enamel, dentin is traversed by nerves which directly transmit thermal or mechanical stimuli and thus cause these sharp and unpleasant pains.
Discoloration can also be related to enamel becoming thinner . The dentin, which is just below, becomes apparent and the tooth appears less white. Teeth may even appear transparent to light. This phenomenon is especially visible at the angles and edges of the teeth.
The dentist may notice cavities in the enamel . This form of caries, also called initial caries, is only found on the surface and has not yet penetrated the deeper layers of the tooth. It is certainly not yet visible in the form of a typical cavity, but it can become so if left untreated.
Causes of Tooth Enamel Degradation
Tooth enamel is subject to natural wear: grinding and chewing of food causes progressive wear of the enamel. It is, however, a very long process. On the other hand, there are other factors favoring the degradation of dental enamel and which can contribute to its premature wear:
diet : the most common cause of deterioration of tooth enamel is diet. Food habits in industrialized countries have changed dramatically over the past few decades. We consume more and more acidic foods and drinks. These can attack tooth enamel.
Improper toothbrushing technique : Excessive pressure on the toothbrush can damage your tooth enamel. A toothbrush with too hard bristles can also contribute to enamel wear. Toothpaste containing abrasive cleaning agents (with a polishing effect) can also damage tooth enamel.
Dental plaque : dental plaque refers to the deposit made up of saliva, bacteria and food residues and belongs to the normal oral flora. That said, if it is not removed carefully and regularly, the microorganisms it contains metabolize the sugar. This generates acids which attack the tooth enamel and demineralize it.
Bruxomania : Nocturnal bruxomania can also cause tooth enamel to break down. The pressure exerted by the occlusal surfaces on each other puts the enamel under great pressure. The extra friction caused by bruxism contributes to dental erosion. In the worst case, the tooth enamel is so degraded that the underlying dentin becomes exposed. A device called a “gutter” can help reduce the pressure exerted.
Gastric acid : in the event of gastric reflux (as is the case for example with heartburn), the stomach acid goes up along the esophagus, possibly even reaching the oral cavity. Silent gastroesophageal reflux is particularly insidious, as it manifests as acid gas rising from the stomach. They easily get into the mouth and can damage tooth enamel.
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