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What Causes Brittle Teeth: Precaution & Home Remedy for Brittle Teeth

What do we mean by brittle teeth?
At a young age biting into an apple or a guava was a simple task. Wasn’t it? But as you grow, your body goes through a lot of change. Your teeth also face dental ageing and one sign of it is ‘brittle teeth’.It is a fairly common condition in which teeth lose their strength and break easily. They could crumble, crack or fall out without much impact or reason. Different causes trigger brittleness of the teeth. With good care and healthy eating habits, the condition of brittle teeth can be averted to a large extent.

Brittle Teeth

On a broad basis, brittleness in teeth is caused due to six reasons.
  1. Genetic factors: Weak teeth are sometimes passed on down the generations of a family. People belonging to these families tend to suffer brittle teeth.
  2. Dietary habits: Eating too many sugary and acidic foods weakens teeth, and causes them to become brittle. Frequent snacking is also not advisable because the pH level of saliva does not come to its normal levels because of continuous intake of food. Usually, it takes around three to four hours for the effects of enzymes present in the food to reduce and restore optimum pH of saliva. Moreover, high acidic level in the mouth damages the enamel covering the teeth, thereby causing brittleness. Aerated drinks, much intake of citrus fruit juices like lemon, tobacco usage and too much alcohol are some of the other reasons that cause brittleness.
    Lack of balanced diets leads to vitamin and calcium deficiency in the body. As a result, teeth lose their strength and become brittle. Also, drinking water which contains high levels of fluoride is also one of the major reasons for brittleness.
  3. Involuntary habits: Some people involuntarily grind or clench their teeth when they sleep or become emotional. When grinding happens, the outer layer or enamel covering teeth is damaged. This damage paves way to brittleness. Use of excess force while brushing teeth is another common factor for this condition.
  4. Medical conditions: Certain diseases, not necessarily of dental origin, lead to brittle teeth. Some of the common diseases that result in this condition are:Periodontal disease:
    • Periodontal disease: This is a disease of the gum, jaw bones and teeth. If ignored, this disease affects the structure of dentures and strength of the gums. When the disease reaches advanced stages, teeth become brittle
    • Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is not a disease of dental origin but a condition that affects the overall structure of bones in the body. People with low bone density and inadequate nutrients suffer brittle teeth through weakening of the jaw bones and teeth
    • Nerve changes: In some cases, nerve tissues in the teeth reduce. As a result, nervous activity in the teeth reduces. This leads to brittleness of teeth
    • Kidney diseases: Kidney diseases can lead to bone loss or reduced bone density. Osteoporosis is one of the side effects of some kinds of renal diseases. When kidneys malfunction, bones all over the body become weak. This affects the jaw bone as well. Teeth become loose and brittle. Also, when kidneys do not function optimally, absorption of calcium from food decreases. Teeth do not receive adequate amount of calcium and hence, become brittle
  5. Drugs: Certain kinds of drugs cause brittleness in bones because of the various side effects they cause. Some drugs contain ingredients that reduce calcium absorption in the body. Some drugs also contain high level of fluoride and can lead to brittleness. However, using such drugs for short durations does not cause this problem. The condition is common in people who use these drugs chronically.
  6. Aging (debatable): Aging is a debatable issue when it comes to brittleness. Usually, the side effects of different activities, medicines and stress that the teeth undergo cumulate over age and cause brittleness as age advances. Elderly people who follow good dietary habits and avoid unhealthy habits do not suffer from brittleness.

 

 

Brittle Teeth

You can fight brittle teeth by following a few simple methods.
  • Do not brush teeth with a lot of force or too frequently. Brush twice a day and use circular movements of the brush for brushing. Wrong brushing strips enamel off teeth
  • Chew a garlic clove. The antioxidants and medicinal enzymes in garlic strengthen teeth and gums
  • Do not let your oral cavity dry. Drink lots of water to keep teeth hydrated
  • Do not brush teeth immediately after drinking coffee, dry, aerated drinks, acidic juices and sweets. These foods soften the external layer of teeth and brushing immediately after consumption leads to damage
  • Gargle mouth with warm water after eating so that enzymes present in foods are washed off
  • Eat and drink foods that are rich in nutrients such as calcium and vitamins. Dairy products, green veggies and fruits should always be a part of diet. Calcium supplements in the form of pills are not as effective. Natural intake of calcium through foods is essential
  • Avoid chilled food or beverages. Always eat freshly prepared hot food
  • Visit a dentist at regular intervals and seek treatment when required
Brittle teeth are sometimes an indication of more serious underlying problems such as thyroid dysfunction. The condition should be never ignored. Immediate consultation with a dentist and treatment are necessary.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene plays a vital role in keeping tooth problems such as brittle teeth, cavities, tartar and tooth pain away. Visit our blog to know more about dental care and prevention of dental problems to keep teeth strong and healthy.

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