Soft teeth is a term dentists use to describe teeth that have weak enamel. If you have soft teeth, you will be more likely to experience decay as well as tooth trauma like chipping. You may also have teeth that are more sensitive to hot and cold, which can cause some discomfort. The following can help you better understand this condition.
Common Causes
Soft teeth typically occur during tooth development. Childhood illnesses, malnutrition, trauma, tooth infections, and poor fluoridation are the most common causes. The weak enamel on adult teeth tends to occur when issues affect a child before the baby teeth fall out. In some cases, issues with baby teeth can spread to the adult teeth, thus increasing the chances of soft teeth.
You can also develop soft teeth when you are older, although this is less common. Enamel wear and weakening is what leads to adult-onset soft teeth. Causes of adult-onset soft teeth include hormone imbalances, acid reflux, and poor dental hygiene. If the soft teeth are caught early enough in the developmental stage, the effects can sometimes be reversed or at least stalled.
Prevention
Early dental care is the key to prevention. Make sure your child begins seeing a dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges. Keep up with basic hygiene at home and follow up with regular professional cleanings. Ensuring that your child eats a balanced diet and takes nutrition supplements as recommended by your doctor is also an important way to avoid dental issues.
If you live in an area that does not fluoridate its water, ask your dentist about supplemental fluoride treatments. Keep in mind that even with prevention your child may develop soft teeth, as genetics can also play a role.
Treatment
Treatment of soft teeth is mainly about preventing issues. You may require more frequent cleanings to guard against decay, for example. In some cases, your dentist may recommend veneers, particularly if your enamel is exceptionally thin. Veneers provide an extra layer of protection that your natural enamel simply can't provide.
Good daily hygiene, including brushing and flossing, is a must to prevent decay. You should also avoid sugary foods and soda since soft teeth put you at a higher risk of decay and plaque buildup. If you suffer pain from sensitive teeth, your dentist may recommend that you use a special toothpaste to help minimize sensitivity.
Contact your dentist if you have further questions.
Share7 October 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.