Broken teeth, what are the causes and how to overcome them?

What do you know about porous teeth? If you often complain of toothache symptoms, such as sensitive teeth and break easily, this could be a sign that your teeth are starting to become porous. Tooth loss should not be underestimated and must be treated immediately. So, what causes porous teeth and how to deal with it? Come on, find out the answer in the following review.

What are porous teeth?

The condition of tooth decay is similar to the condition of cavities (caries) in general. The difference is, holes in the teeth due to porous loss are formed in the middle layer of the teeth (dentin). Meanwhile, dental caries usually occurs in the outermost layer (enamel) of the tooth structure.

Holes and tooth decay due to caries can be clearly seen from the outside with the naked eye. However, brittle teeth may appear just fine. In general, tooth decay cannot be seen with the naked eye, so it is necessary to have an examination at the dentist.

This condition will make your teeth appear healthy on the outside, but they are actually hollow or porous on the inside. Only when X-rayed with the help of X-rays did you see the presence of tiny holes in the middle layer of the teeth.

The occurrence of tooth decay which is difficult to detect through direct observation is known as hidden caries in the world of dentistry, as quoted from the International Dental Journal .

How is the process of tooth loss?

It is not known exactly what causes porous teeth. However, the researchers suspect that enamel damage, certain bacterial infections, and excessive fluoride use could be the cause.

Initially, it was thought that it started from a small, invisible hole on the surface of the tooth. Although very, very small, these holes still allow bacteria to enter the inner layer of the teeth.

Quoted from MedlinePlus, this happens when bacteria in the mouth make acids that attack the email. Cavities in untreated teeth can also cause pain, infection, porous, and loss of teeth.

Then gradually the small hole is closed after using toothpaste containing fluoride continuously. This is what is thought to cause holes to form inside the teeth and not be visible from the outside.

The hole that was originally small can further enlarge and spread to the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth which consists of blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Damage in this area can cause tooth sensitivity, pain, infection, and loss of teeth. If allowed to continue, this condition will not only cause tooth loss, but also severe tooth decay.

Various factors cause tooth loss

Without realizing it, there are many daily habits that can lead to tooth decay. Basically, anything that causes cavities or caries can also trigger and cause tooth loss. Some of them, such as:

1. Poor dental hygiene

A dirty mouth is the main cause of the appearance of plaque under the gum line, tooth surface, and between the teeth. Plaque is a thin, sticky layer filled with millions of bacteria.

If you are lazy to brush your teeth and do not take proper dental care, plaque will continue to form and accumulate. The plaque that continues to accumulate can eventually develop into tartar, causing tooth decay and loss.

2. Acidic foods and drinks

One of the causes of porous teeth is the exposure to acids from the food and drinks that you consume every day. One of the functions of saliva is naturally to neutralize acids in the mouth to protect your teeth.

However, if you consume too many acidic foods and drinks, the enamel and dentin will slowly erode. This condition is exacerbated if you are lazy to brush your teeth.

Eating all that is sweet can also cause the same thing. When you eat sweet foods, bacteria in your mouth will produce acids. Well, this acid can cause damage to your teeth.

Quoted from American Dental Association , several types of food and drinks that can cause tooth decay, including:

• Sweet foods with a high sugar content, such as candy
• Acidic fruits, such as oranges and lemons
• Food with a sticky texture, such as candied fruit
• Foods with a high starch content, such as potato chips
• Ice cubes can damage tooth enamel
• Coffee and tea containing caffeine
• Carbonated drink
• Alcoholic beverages
• Sports drinks

3. Dry mouth

Dry mouth (xerostomia) can also be a trigger factor and cause of tooth loss. This condition is caused because your body, especially the salivary glands, produce less saliva. In fact, saliva is important for maintaining moisture in the mouth and helps clean food debris that sticks to the surface of the teeth.

On the other hand, the compounds in your saliva also play a role in fighting acids and bacteria that attack teeth. During and after you eat an acidic meal, saliva helps neutralize the acid in your mouth. This is the reason why dry mouth can increase various risks of tooth decay.

4. History of acid reflux disease

The health of the digestive system also affects the health of your teeth and mouth. For those of you who have a history of GERD or ulcers, increased stomach acid can cause tooth decay.

Stomach acid that rises to your mouth can erode the outer and innermost layers of your teeth. Apart from causing tooth loss, this condition can also cause other tooth decay, such as bad breath, sensitive teeth, and cavities.

5. Bulimia

Eating disorders such as bulimia can also be a factor in causing tooth loss. Bulimia is a condition when a person experiences a tremendous fear of obesity. As a result, people with this condition vomit the food and drinks they just consumed more often.

Not only disturbing the digestive system, the habit of vomiting food by force can also cause serious damage to teeth. The liquid that a bulimic patient vomits contains acids that are corrosive. The more often and longer the teeth are exposed to stomach acid, the more brittle and porous it will be.

6. Certain drugs

Tooth loss can also be caused by taking over-the-counter drugs or with a doctor's prescription. Several types of drugs can cause tooth decay and have side effects such as dry mouth. Well, this side effect makes you more prone to experiencing porous teeth.

Types of drugs that can cause dry mouth include pain relievers, antidepressants, antihistamines, antacids, and hypertension drugs.

7. Suckling while sleeping

The habit of breastfeeding while sleeping can indeed make young children sleep quickly. Unfortunately, this habit can also increase the risk of tooth decay and caries in children. Why?

When the child is breastfeeding while sleeping, the sugar in the milk will stick to his teeth for a long time. This sugar will then be converted into acid by bad bacteria in the mouth.

Therefore, it is the surface of the teeth that is constantly exposed to acids that can cause children's teeth to become porous.

There are several ways to deal with porous teeth

The condition of the tooth loss can only be known through the dental X-ray procedure. Therefore, you should regularly check with your dentist at least every six months to find out the health condition of your teeth and gums. Your doctor will check the condition of your teeth and suggest the right treatment for you.

In addition, here are some ways to strengthen teeth to prevent loss, which are usually recommended by doctors:

• Reducing foods and drinks that are too sour or sweet.
• Using a straw when drinking caffeinated or fizzy drinks.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals. Chewing gum can help the production of saliva to flush out acids that build up in the mouth after eating.
• Wait at least an hour after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing your teeth. This can give your teeth time to build up mineral content again.
• Brushing teeth properly and regularly twice a day in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed.
• Brushing your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Using dental floss (dental floss) and mouthwash.
• Drink lots of water to stimulate saliva production.

Tooth loss can cause severe tooth decay, even making it easier to lose or fall off prematurely. Do not underestimate this condition and immediately consult a doctor if you encounter a problem with your teeth.