How To Care For Pitted Teeth

For most people, teeth don't start out pitted. They become that way over time due to biological factors and wear and tear. If you have pitted teeth, you should know that they require extra care in order to prevent cavities. Here's what you need to know about caring for and protecting your teeth.

Why They're Pitted

There are two main ways that teeth can become pitted. For most people, pitting happens in adulthood. This is typically due to abnormal wear and tear on your teeth. For example, chewing on something that isn't food, like fingernails or pencils, can potentially trigger a pitted appearance.

For some people, though, this problem develops in childhood. This is usually due to an overexposure to fluoride. While fluoride is beneficial to teeth, too much of anything can turn a good thing bad. Too much fluoride while the teeth are still being grown can trigger enamel to be built defectively, resulting in a pitted appearance.

Home Care

Taking care of your teeth at home will require a little more effort than it does for people who don't have pitted teeth.

The pitting of your teeth makes it easier for food debris and plaque to get stuck in the teeth. When this happens, the likelihood of you developing cavities goes up. It's even worse if you developed this condition as a child, because sometimes the enamel doesn't protect the teeth as well as it should against cavities and bacterial invasions.

In order to make up for this, you should always brush your teeth after every meal. Use gentle, circular strokes to loosen and remove anything that's stuck in the pitted parts. Ideally, you should also floss at least once per day.

Help From a Dentist

Consider getting some help from a dentist. Having pitted teeth — even with improved home care — puts you at a higher risk of developing dental problems, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Your dentist can cover your pitted teeth with dental crowns, effectively shielding them from bacteria and food debris. This will prevent them from growing plaque and developing cavities.

Crowns don't have to be utilized just to cover teeth that are being drilled. They're used for all kinds of things, like securing bridges, covering chipped teeth, and improving the health of pitted teeth. As an added bonus, since the crown will completely encapsulate your tooth, you'll also have a more normal-looking smile.

With these tips in hand, you can do a better job of caring for your teeth and learn to protect them entirely with help from a dentist's office. Don't let your pitted teeth develop cavities and become a problem for you.


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