First of all, how do you know when a tooth has been damaged? Telltale signs include tooth sensitivity, as well as cavities and cuppings. 

When acid damage has compromised the outer enamel, the exposure of inner enamel can cause pain in the form of sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Cavities and cuppings, which are indentations on the tooth’s surface, are an indication decay has begun. Sensitivity due to these factors can be incredibly painful.

While there’s no way for enamel to fix itself, here is some insight into how you can fight back once decay has begun.

Snack carefully. 

Every time food is broken down after you eat, your mouth becomes acidic for a period of time afterward. Taking your level of snacking into careful account can reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to this process.

Look into sugar-free chewing gum options. 

One of the keys to restoring balance in your mouth is keeping your salivary flow at a high level. Saliva helps neutralize acid. When you chew gum, you give a huge boost to the production in your salivary glands. Gum brands that have xylitol are an especially smart choice. 

Cut down on acidic food and beverage. 

When your teeth have been compromised by acidic food and drink, one obvious strategy is to simply cut down on your consumption of things that are not as pH friendly, such as fruit juices, soda, and other carbonated drinks. Conversely, frequent drinking of water keeps that necessary salivary flow going, making your standard glass of H20 the kind of beverage you want to visit multiple times per day. (The standard rule of thumb is eight, 8-oz glasses of water daily.)

Fluoride toothpaste strengthens teeth. 

Acid erosion got you down? Fluoride is one way to make your teeth less susceptible to erosion moving forward. While this can be applied topically by your friendly dental professional at South University Dental, toothpastes with fluoride can also go a long way in keeping your teeth from twirling down the decay spiral. 

Tooth restoration creates a long-term solution. 

When you visit your dentist, words such as ‘filling’ and ‘crown’  are never utterances a patient looks forward to. However, when acid erosion has already occurred, these solutions are the BEST way to avoid making the problem worse. If you experience tooth pain related to acid erosion, the professionals at South University Dental are equipped to eliminate your pain while giving you the most aesthetically pleasing option possible in the form of crowns, fillings, or veneers. 

Fargo’s Leading Restorative Dental Office

Even though tooth enamel itself cannot be restored, the experts at South University Dental Associates know how to restore the overall effectiveness of damaged teeth. Additionally, the team is passionate about helping you understand the basics of healthy teeth. Whether you’re looking to fix teeth damaged by acid erosion or get the best in preventative care, a quality dentist in the Fargo-West Fargo Fargo-Moorhead area is just a phone call away. The team of dentists at South University Dental is available to offer dental advice, a diagnosis, or treatment as necessary.