Question about enamel erosion?!
Question: Question about enamel erosion.?
I currently have a retainer, and i have a habit of clicking it in and out of my mouth. Since the metal front part of the retainer is rubbing against my tooth, can it cause my enamel to erode when i am older.? Or can you only get it from acids and stuff.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
From a physical point of view, your teeth, on the outside, are very much like little pebbles in your head (very similar chemical structure to actual kinds of rock). If you scraped your retainer against a piece of gravel, you probably wouldn't bother the gravel too much. Against a smooth pebble from the beach, no wear either. I'd say your enamel is way tougher than the plastic of your retainer.
Acids formed by bacteria and sugar mixing on your tooth's surface are a different matter. On the chemical level, your teeth are held together by electronic bonds, and acids are good at modifying bonds, so the acid sort of "pulls at" the "loose" pieces of your enamel, until there's so much decay (lost structure) that the area becomes soft. You can still remineralize these spots with correct diet and adequate hygiene, but shortly after that point, it's dentist time.
But let's not forget about interactions: if you miss spots when brushing, or clean your retainer inadequately, it can trap small bits of food containing sugars, a primary fuel for bacteria that are naturally all over the place, including inside your mouth. So, even though it's not physical wear that can cause tooth decay (erosion), the retainer can contribute to an optimal environment for bacteria growth (and tooth decay).
Brush your teeth and clean your retainer regularly, and you should be fine.
Your age isn't too much of a factor; it's just that people have difficulty maintaining adequate oral hygiene in the face of our SUPER-high-sugar modern diet, and over time, major damage (cavities, fillings, etc) can't really be undone (yet).Health Question & Answer
Acids formed by bacteria and sugar mixing on your tooth's surface are a different matter. On the chemical level, your teeth are held together by electronic bonds, and acids are good at modifying bonds, so the acid sort of "pulls at" the "loose" pieces of your enamel, until there's so much decay (lost structure) that the area becomes soft. You can still remineralize these spots with correct diet and adequate hygiene, but shortly after that point, it's dentist time.
But let's not forget about interactions: if you miss spots when brushing, or clean your retainer inadequately, it can trap small bits of food containing sugars, a primary fuel for bacteria that are naturally all over the place, including inside your mouth. So, even though it's not physical wear that can cause tooth decay (erosion), the retainer can contribute to an optimal environment for bacteria growth (and tooth decay).
Brush your teeth and clean your retainer regularly, and you should be fine.
Your age isn't too much of a factor; it's just that people have difficulty maintaining adequate oral hygiene in the face of our SUPER-high-sugar modern diet, and over time, major damage (cavities, fillings, etc) can't really be undone (yet).Health Question & Answer
Yes, it can cause enamel erosion so be careful! Health Question & Answer