5 Causes of Weak Teeth

The enamel is the toughest material in the human body, but it can be damaged. Damage to the enamel weakens your teeth because unlike other tissues, which can be repaired by the body, enamel damage is permanent. The following are five elements that can weaken your teeth.

Causes of weak teeth

1. Diet

The food you eat on a daily basis has an effect on your enamel. Foods that have a lot of sugar and starch are very harmful to your enamel because these can cause erosion if you don’t practice good oral hygiene.

2. Soft drinks

Soft drinks can be harmful to your enamel, especially if you consume a lot of them on a daily basis. Sodas contain high levels of citric and phosphoric acids, which are very damaging to enamel. Fruit juices can also be harmful to the enamel because some of them contain acids that can cause more erosion than even battery acid.

3. Genetics

According to research, some people are prone to tooth decay and weak tooth because of genetic factors. Enamel hypoplasia is a condition that affects the teeth, causing the enamel to be thinner while they are still developing, leaving the teeth weakened. This can occur in both baby teeth and permanent teeth, leaving the teeth vulnerable to decay.

4. Environmental factors

These are the everyday wear and tear, corrosion, stress, friction and other conditions that cause the erosion of the enamel. Some of the clinical terms used to describe these factors are:

Abfraction

This is the loss of tooth structure that is not caused by decay. They are caused by putting too much pressure on the teeth while chewing or biting, leading to the enamel going through a large amount of stress that causes microfractures and loss of tissue.

Abrasion

This is the usual wear and tear the enamel goes through on a daily basis. It can occur if you brush your teeth too hard, do not floss regularly, or have a habit of biting hard objects like your fingernails, bottle caps or if you use chewing tobacco.

Attrition

This is simply the friction that occurs between your teeth when you grind or clench your teeth, which is something a lot of people do when they are asleep.

Corrosion

This happens when the acidic content of something you eat or drink hits the enamel of your teeth, gradually weakening it. It can also occur as a result of frequent vomiting due to alcoholism or bulimia.

5. Dry mouth

Saliva helps to digest food, but it also helps to clean your mouth and prevent infection. If you are not producing enough saliva, you will not be able to control the bacteria and fungi in your mouth, which can weaken your enamel.

Symptoms of weak teeth

The symptoms of weak teeth vary depending on how it has progressed, but the most common signs of enamel erosion are:

Tooth discoloration

As the affected tooth continues to lose enamel, the color changes and the tooth appears to be yellow because more dentin is exposed.

Sensitivity

When you start to lose some of your enamel, your teeth will be more sensitive, especially when eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages, because they do not have as much protection.

Cracking

Without the protection of the enamel, you will notice your teeth becoming more jagged around the edges because small pieces have started to chip away due to their weakened state.

The bottom line

Weak teeth affect a lot of people. Fortunately, they can be treated, especially when caught in the early stages. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your dentist to find out the best way to treat the problem.

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