If you have braces, your smile can be prone to many dental issues, unfortunately. One of those dental issues is enamel erosion. Enamel erosion occurs when acid attacks the teeth and wears down the enamel. This can make your teeth vulnerable to tooth fractures and cavities. So, it’s best to prevent enamel erosion when you have cavities. To help you do so, our orthodontist, Dr. Deji Fashemo, encourages you to do the following things:

-Avoid acidic foods and beverages: Consuming acidic products can expose your smile to the acid that harms the teeth. So, it’s best to avoid consuming acidic foods and drinks as much as possible.

-Wait to brush your teeth: If you do happen to consume an acidic food or drink, please wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth. This is recommended because if you brush immediately, the enamel is vulnerable to the acid and the bristles just worsen the damage. If anything, rinse with water and then brush at the appropriate time.

-Use fluoride: Fluoride can strengthen your tooth enamel and help you avoid enamel erosion. So, make sure to expose your teeth to fluoride regularly. You can do so by using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash, drinking fluoridated water, and receiving a professional fluoride treatment.

Would you like to know more about how to prevent enamel erosion when you have braces in Allen and Dallas, Texas? If so, please reach out to our orthodontic team at Fourth Dimension Orthodontics & Craniofacial Orthopedics at your earliest convenience. All you need to do is dial our Allen office at 972.947.2000 or our Dallas office at 972.947.2000 and we will be more than happy to help you. We look forward to talking with you!