Every day dentists everywhere meet patients saying “the back of my teeth feel like sandpaper”. You may think it is not a serious case. But trust me to underline dental problems behind this is much worse than teeth feeling like sandpaper. We will explain why that is. So read this carefully.
Why do my teeth feel like sandpaper?
Teeth becoming rough is known as teeth erosion. It mostly occurs in the back of your teeth. There are a few reasons behind this gritty feeling.
How Tartar and plaque make the back of your teeth feel like sandpaper
Plaque is formed because of bacteria activities on remnant food particles. It is a continuous formation. However, bacteria in plaque also produce acids from your food or drinks. Those acids are known for destroying enamel and left teeth cavities. It is also a reason for gum disease (gingivitis). Plaque is even worse if developed under the gum. Bones that support teeth are in that place. If plaque breakdown them, teeth can fall off. It will solidify and get hard if you left this plaque untreated, We call it tartar.
Tartar can make your teeth yellow and rough. It is the solid calcified deposits that cover teeth and gums. Tartar is very bad for the teeth and gum. It does not just make you unattractive but leads to problems like teeth erosion. Tartar will do all the bad things plaque can do. That includes irritating gum tissues and making them swollen and easy to bleed. Gum continuously shrinking away can lead to losing teeth.
There are three trillion bacteria in your mouth. They are always multiplying and produce the creamy material plaque which makes tartar. Plaque germs and sugary substances are not a good combination. These two together produce acids and ultimately cause tooth decay.
Now you understand how important brushing your teeth is. But there is a catch. You can not remove tartar with a toothbrush. Especially when they are in between teeth. In that case, you should see a hygienist. The hygienist will remove the tartar between teeth with their dental scrapers. Then you can brush your teeth daily twice to clean plaque.
Eroded enamel and rough back surface of teeth
Enamel is there to protect the dental crown. It acts as a wear-resistant outer layer. Enamel has other duties such as protecting the tooth from thermal and chemical forces. Acids degrade the enamel over time. So, the mouth has a strategy to neutralize acids. Saliva is the clear liquid to do that. Some glands in our mouth produce Saliva.
But the rate of neutralization by saliva is not enough if you eat and drink a lot of surgery products and didn’t brush your teeth. Acids will make cracks and chips in your teeth. Sensitivity will increase. So, you will find it hard to consume cold, hot, acidic, or spicy food and drink. Eroded enamel will make your teeth rough. It will feel like sandpaper.
Knowing the reason behind something is obvious. But knowing the solution is what we need now.
Fixing teeth feel like sandpaper with composite bonding
Composite bonding is more suitable for patients with smaller damage to the enamel of teeth. It is a well-practiced treatment for discoloration, chips, and fractures in teeth. Dentists use specially formulated cosmetic composites to fill in damaged areas of enamel.
Enamel erosion could be the big reason for your teeth to feel like sandpaper. Those eroded parts of the enamel can be filled with cosmetic composites. The result is a smooth surface for your teeth. No surgery is required.
The downside of composite bonding is it can deteriorate after some time. So it needed replacing.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are a good alternative for composite bonding. It hasn’t a major downside of cosmetic composites. It will not deteriorate much over time. But applying porcelain veneers is not simple as applying composite bonding.
Your rough teeth need reshaping before applying porcelain veneers. The dentist will remove some of the enamel to do that. The removed thickness should nearly match the thickness of the porcelain veneer.
This procedure is normally not a painful one but if it is your dentist will numb that area. It takes 2 to 4 weeks to make the model of your veneer and produce it. You should use temporally veneers to keep your teeth safe.
Dentists check the veneer before permanently applying. They find the perfect fit by removing ultra-thin layers from the enamel. A special cement is used to bond the tooth and veneer together. The final color of the veneer depends on this shade of cement. This is very useful to match the color with the color of your teeth.
Your teeth must be super cleaned and polished. Etching makes a rough surface which is good for a strong bond. After everything is in position, it’s time to harden the cement. With the help of a special light beam, a dentist can quickly do that. The final blow is removing any excess cement. Then your bite will be checked. Minor adjustments are possible.
You can see to apply porcelain veneers should do some work. Need at least three visits to the dentist. But it is the best and most durable solution for many.
How to prevent teeth feel like sandpaper from happening
Precautions are important because dental treatment can cost so much. Preventing it from happening saves a lot of trouble.
Best dental health practices are the most needed. It starts with your eating and drinking habits. You should have a limit on the amount of sugar that put in your mouth. Somehow clean your mouth after eating or drinking surgery products If you can.
Don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day. Every morning and night. If you notice tartar formed in the mouth, meet a hygienist. Remove tartar.
I hope now you know the risk. So keep this in your mind. If the back of my teeth feels like sandpaper, I should visit my dentist very soon.
