How to Avoid Enamel Erosion When You Have Braces

When you align your smile with braces, your teeth can be prone to many dental issues if you’re not careful. One of those dental issues is enamel erosion. Enamel erosion occurs when acid attacks the teeth and wears the enamel down. It’s best to prevent enamel erosion as much as possible. To help you do so, our orthodontist, Dr. Brenna Christensen , encourages you to do the following things:

• Avoid acidic foods and beverages: Consuming acidic foods and beverages exposes your teeth to the acid that can harm them. So, it’s best to avoid these products as much as possible. If you do happen to consume some, make sure to rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible.
• Wait to brush your teeth: If you consume acidic foods and beverages, avoid brushing your teeth immediately. This is important because if you brush while the acid is attacking the enamel, your brush bristles can help the acid and further harm the teeth. So, make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after you consume an acidic food or drink to brush.
• Use fluoride: Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens the tooth enamel. Exposing your teeth to fluoride can make your smile stronger and more resilient. So, use fluoride regularly by using fluoride toothpaste, drinking fluoridated water, using fluoride mouthwash, and receiving professional fluoride treatments.

If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about how to prevent enamel erosion when you have braces in Kennesaw, Georgia, please contact West Cobb Orthodontics today at (678) 401-4321. Our orthodontic team is more than happy to help you, and we look forward to hearing from you!