acid tooth erosion

[pumpa]

oh poo. on close inspection my two top and bottom teeth look a bit clear towards the edges...it's purely down to my coke drinking which i have now stopped...I have read there is no way to 'regrow' tooth enamel, so what can dentists do when your teeth are a bit pitted but not sensitive or not bad enough for veneers? Can they paint something on?

[Toothsmith]

If it's only on close inspection, I would ask your dentist about it, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's probably not much worse that a couple of extra years normal wear & tear anyway.

The important thing is that you've realised, and stopped the cause.

Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste is formulated to help remineralise teeth - although the can't 'grow back' what's been lost.

There is a substance called Tooth Mousse made by a company called GC that might well help put back a but of mineral as well. Ask your dentist abut it.

The dentist might paint on some fluoride varnish, which again, helps to strengthen, but won't grow anything back.

If a lot of tooth has been lost, a bit of white filling might thicken things up a bit, and help.

I would avoid veneers if it is only slight tooth loss though.

Tooth Mousse site http://www.gceurope.com/en/products/detail.php?id=112

[pumpa]

Thanks, I was hoping you'd be on!
One of my teeth next to my front teeth lost a load of enamel about 15 years ago when the dentist bleached them to remove white spots, none of my other teeth were harmed, but i have been worried about it ever since, when i had my braces 10 years ago i was petrified when they pulled the little metal bracket off my tooth would break, but no, it's still there...you can see quite obviously it is very pitted but it isn't even remotely sensitive so i hope that's a good sign!
Can you please explain bit more about fluoride varnish and tooth mousse- do these smooth out the look of the tooth cosmetically too, or just strengthen them against further erosion? How long does fluoride varnish last (i'm imagining some sort of clear nail varnish in my head!) I just wish there was a way to smooth them out again :S

[Toothsmith]

Fluoride varnish is only on the teeth for a few hours at most. It's what it does to the tooth chemically that's important.

If Tooth Mousse had been around when you had that white spot, it would have been the treatment of choice then.

I've added a link to the companies page in my first post.

You need to buy it from dentists. I have noticed it on Ebay, but I'm not a fan of getting stuff like this from places like that Counterfiets and forgeries do exist, and you can't be 100% sure of what you're getting.

It might not smooth them down, but it's worth a go.

[pumpa]

Thanks, you're really helpful!
What about the clear parts where it has worn away...will anything get rid of this effect cosmetically?

[Bogof_Babe]

Mind if I join in?

My hygenist told me I was losing enamel, on my last visit. She suggested I stop drinking fruit juices, which reluctantly I have done.

After I left the surgery, I wondered whether using whitening toothpastes might have contributed to the problem. Are they harsher on the teeth than normal pastes?

I would appreciate a professional opinion, if you wouldnt mind Toothsmith.

TIA

[Toothsmith]

Whitening toothpastes aren't errosive or significantly more abrasive than ordinary toothpastes

Assuming you mean ordinary 'Crest Whitening' or similar.

The powder sort of 'smokers' toothpastes are VERY abrasive.

If you're buying whitening products from dubious sources, then anything's possible.

Pumpa - Some white filling bonded behind the clear bits might help - but this is more a question for your own dentist who can actually see the problem there in front of him.

[Bogof_Babe]

Thank you for the reply. I use Colgate or MacLeans or any of the well-known branded whitening pastes, bought from a regular shop.

That's one less thing I have to give up then :D.