110 Pits in Tooth Enamel

Pits in Tooth Enamel

When you smile in the mirror, the bright, shiny teeth you see in your mouth are bright and shiny as a result of their outer most layer, enamel. It is the hardest material in your body, even harder than bones. But unlike bones, enamel is not a living tissue. So when it is damaged or weakened, your body is not able to repair it on its own, like your body does when you break a bone. The inner layer of dentin is typically white, but it can be darker, brown or even yellow. When the enamel starts to thin, the dentin is more visible. Your enamel does wear as you age, but you can help it from thinning so quickly.

When the bacteria cause plaque on your teeth, the bacteria strip your enamel of minerals that keep it hard. This is the reason for toothpastes to contain fluoride and for the dentist to offer fluoride treatments. When the minerals are stripped from your enamel and they are not replaced, the tooth is weaker in those spots and more vulnerable to cavities and decay. Enamel may not appear smooth and shiny when it has been stained by drinks like coffee and tea or when it has pits or holes. Your teeth have natural peaks and valleys, and those valleys are called fissures. Most people will note these on their premolars and molars. If you have place on your teeth where it dips or seems to have some enamel missing, those areas are called pits.

Enamel erosion and dental pitting can occur as a result of environmental factors like acid or pressure on the surface of the teeth. Here are a few reasons why you may start noticing pitting on your teeth:
* Stress
* Natural wear and tear over time
* Attrition or tooth on tooth friction
* Bruxism or teeth grinding and clenching
* Abrasion from brushing or flossing with the wrong technique or tools
* Abfraction or cracks in the tooth as a result of pushing the tooth in the wrong direction. This can happen from a traumatic injury or trying to use your teeth to open something.
* Corrosion from stomach acid or highly acidic foods

Depending on the cause of your enamel erosion, you may notice different signs on your teeth than the ones that someone else has. If you notice any of the following changes, be sure to talk to the dentist about potential pitting:
* Sensitivity to cold, hot, or very sugary foods and drinks. You may even notice the temperature of the air around you when you breath with your mouth open.
* Discoloration where the enamel is not as thick as it is in other areas and the dentin is more visible
* Chips or cracks in the edges of your teeth where they were once smooth
* Small holes or dents in your teeth where it was once smooth.

Because your enamel will not get better on its own and there are no at home treatments for you to try, talk to the dentist about your dental pitting.