If You've Lost Enamel For These Reasons, Dental Veneers May Be Difficult

People get dental veneers for a number of reasons, but the main goal of this dental procedure is to fix a smile that has problems. When you visit your local dentist to learn if veneers might be right for you, the dentist will need to check your tooth enamel. In order to adhere the veneer, your dentist needs to remove a bit of enamel first — and that means that if your enamel on a given tooth is already in short supply, a veneer might not work. Here are some reasons that it's possible to lose tooth enamel over time, which could threaten your ability to get veneers in the future.

Heavy Brushing

Many dentists recommend using a soft toothbrush because it can still do its intended job without unnecessarily causing wear to your tooth enamel. However, if you disregard this warning and use a toothbrush with hard bristles, you could do damage to your teeth. This can especially be true if you apply a lot of pressure when you brush. Don't let your choice of toothbrush and your approach to brushing lead to enamel loss that may affect your ability to get veneers in the future — ask your dentist or hygienist for a quick tutorial on how to brush to avoid enamel wear.

Tooth Grinding

Many people grind their teeth occasionally without much in the way of consequences, but some people are heavy grinders. Grinding your teeth can result in many complications, including damage to the teeth, headaches, and lost enamel. Depending on the nature of your bite and the shape of your teeth, your grinding might not only remove enamel from the edges of your teeth but also from their faces — and this is where the veneer needs to attach. You'll want to talk to your dentist if you're concerned about your grinding habit.

High-Acid Diet

In some cases, the consumption of a diet that is high in acidic foods can cause the loss of your tooth enamel. There are many foods that are high in acid; this list includes lemons, tomatoes, and other similar foods. When you visit your dentist for a regular check-up, he or she will always note whether you're losing enamel. If so, the dentist may ask if you're eating a high-acid diet and then offer you some suggestions to change it. Doing so is advantageous because should you eventually wish to get a dental veneer, continuing to experience enamel loss because of your diet may make this impossible.