You have likely heard your dentist advise against consuming sugar. It can weaken your teeth and put you in danger of cavities and other dental issues. This happens because sugar will become acidic in your mouth and erode your tooth enamel, the outer layer of your teeth.
While you might realize structural dental damage like this is problematic for your oral health, you may not know that enamel erosion can lead to aesthetic changes in your teeth too. You can see flaws develop in the look of your teeth that might make you feel self-conscious.
You may feel encouraged to avoid sugar and prevent enamel erosion when you understand the cosmetic dental dangers it can present for your smile. Read on to learn about how sugar can cause dental damage that will affect your smile’s appearance.
Dental Discoloration
If sugar or other acidic substances eat away at your tooth enamel, the underlying dentin layer of your tooth will become exposed. With less enamel and more dentin visible on your teeth, you can see changes in the color of your teeth.
Sometimes, teeth whitening from your dentist can get rid of stains on your teeth. But not all dental discoloration will respond to the bleaching agents in this treatment. The dentist may need to replace or cover damaged enamel to restore or enhance your tooth color.
Ideally, you should make efforts to prevent enamel damage, such as avoiding added sugar whenever you can. Otherwise, you can experience issues with your tooth color, which can include the following:
- Dark tooth stains: If the enamel weakens, your teeth become more likely to form dark discoloration when you consume items with staining agents.
- Yellowing color: Exposed dentin in the wake of enamel loss will make your teeth appear yellower.
- Translucent appearance: Thinned enamel, especially toward the tooth’s edges, can result in a see-through, translucent effect on the tooth.
- White spots: Damaged enamel can suffer from demineralization, a loss in calcium that makes up this layer of your tooth. The weakened spots can appear creamy or overly white on the tooth’s surface.
Irregular Tooth Shape
When your teeth weaken in the wake of enamel erosion, the shape of your teeth can change. The teeth can be more likely to suffer breakage, such as a crack or chip in the tooth’s surface. This dental injury will disrupt the appearance of your teeth and also make your teeth more vulnerable to further dental issues.
Your teeth might also wear down, and you might notice that the edges of your teeth seem jagged rather than smooth. If this occurs, you should talk to your dentist about ways to amend the appearance of your teeth.
Your dentist might suggest using dental bonding or porcelain veneers to add structure to your teeth or cover tooth breakage. More severe dental damage may require restorative dental treatment to fix. Prevent these dental problems by avoiding poor habits like excess sugar consumption.