Does The Surface Of Your Teeth Feel Rough?

Tooth enamel is naturally smooth; a rough surface may indicate potential problems.

When you run your tongue on the surface of your teeth, does it feel smooth? If not, and instead, there is an unduly rough or ‘fuzzy’ feeling, this means that all is probably not well with your teeth and professional dental advice should be sought. There are two main causes of this sensation, both of which will almost certainly lead to further problems later on, if not treated.

Erosion

One of the most common causes of rough tooth surfaces is erosion of the enamel. This happens when it is attacked by acids in the mouth. Whilst some acidic foods, especially citrus fruits, can harm the enamel surface, it is perhaps less well known by our local patients that sugars are also converted into acids in our mouth and it is this that is a leading cause of enamel erosion.

Once the surface of a tooth is eroded, tiny pits appear that will eventually harbour bacteria and tooth decay will almost certainly follow. As with all dental problems, the best way to avoid the effects of this problem is prevention, with good home dental care and having your oral health monitored regularly at Alexandra Dental Care, your local Burton dental practice.

Excess brushing

It should be noted that, with the best of intentions, excessive brushing of the teeth can also cause enamel damage. Two minutes twice a day with a soft to medium brush and gentle brushing should be sufficient to clean your teeth. Scrubbing your teeth for longer periods with a very hard bristle toothbrush will not make your teeth any cleaner but may well damage the protective enamel.

Plaque buildup

Another entirely preventable problem that can cause a similar sensation is when plaque builds up on your teeth, especially at the gum line. The ‘fuzzy’ feeling you experience when you run your tongue on your teeth may well be an indication that plaque is present which can be a precursor to gum disease. This is not the only sign, of course, and bleeding or sore gums are also indicative of gum disease. Any of these symptoms should be cause for you to contact your dentist as soon as possible.

If you have any potential symptoms of gum disease, including those mentioned above, please call Alexandra Dental Care on 01283 216346 and make an appointment with us. Gum disease, if caught early, can often be reversed quite quickly simply through a more diligent oral care regimen and by closely following the advice of your dentist and hygienist.

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