People who claim to have soft teeth are likely to go to the dentist more frequently due to tooth sensitivity, cavities, toothaches, and other issues no matter how diligent their oral health care is. Some individuals say that after having children, as they age, or go through other life changes they notice a decline in their oral health—even if their habits haven’t changed and they’ve had great dental health previously.
The truth is, there’s no such thing as “soft teeth.” Many people who think they have “soft teeth” actually have teeth that are less likely to withstand everyday wear and tear even with the best daily hygiene. Luckily, there are measures you can take to protect your teeth and make them less cavity-prone and able to withstand everyday use.
Causes of Soft Teeth
Heartburn or acid reflux can make your teeth more susceptible to cavities caused from damaged enamel. When stomach acid flows from your stomach into your esophagus and mouth, your teeth are exposed to erosion-causing acid. The damage caused by stomach acid is worse than that of sugar, soda, and other harmful substances that can cause cavities.
Here are other potential factors that can contribute to weakened enamel and the perception of soft teeth:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Fever
- Malnutrition
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Trauma
- Dental decay
- Bacteria
- Infections in baby teeth
It’s important to not confuse poor oral health with the misconception of having soft teeth.
Do I Have Soft Teeth?
You may be wondering if you have soft teeth, or if you’re getting cavities now because you’ve developed soft teeth over time.
The answer is probably not, and here are several reasons why:
For a tooth to be soft or weaker, you need to have experienced an event that would damage your teeth while they were developing. Except for wisdom teeth, the development of teeth ends around age 14. Therefore, unless your baby teeth had excessive bacteria or infections, you were very ill, or had a hormone imbalance or malnutrition, it’s unlikely that your teeth are soft.
However, this doesn’t mean that teeth may not become weaker as a result of sugar exposure, acid reflux, or irregular oral health care, but rather that your teeth likely did not develop to be soft or have weak or thinning enamel.
Second, in nearly all cases, your teeth will look different if they are weak. Teeth may have brown spots, chalky spots, banding, or other unusual appearances. If your teeth look normal, and your dentist has never mentioned any unusual findings, your teeth are most likely not “soft.”
Misconceptions About Soft Teeth
The term “soft teeth” is often used to describe teeth that are more susceptible to decay and damage. However, it is a misconception that teeth can be inherently soft. Here are some other misconceptions about “soft teeth”:
- Soft teeth are a genetic condition: While genetics can play a role in your dental health, the concept of having “soft teeth” as an inherited trait is a myth. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, and it doesn’t vary much from person to person.
- Soft teeth are caused by a lack of calcium: Calcium is an essential mineral for tooth development and strength, but a lack of calcium alone does not cause “soft teeth.” Other factors, such as poor oral hygiene, a sugary diet, and certain medications, can contribute to weakened enamel and tooth decay.
- Fluoride is bad for soft teeth: Fluoride is actually beneficial for all teeth, including those that are more susceptible to decay. Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps protect teeth from acid attacks.
- Soft teeth cannot be prevented: While some people may be more prone to dental problems, it is still possible to prevent tooth decay and damage through good oral hygiene habits, a balanced diet, and regular dental checkups.
In summary, the idea of having inherently “soft teeth” is a misconception. Dental health is influenced by a variety of factors, and good oral hygiene and preventive care can help prevent tooth decay and damage, regardless of an individual’s genetic makeup.
Many people incorrectly believe that certain events can cause their teeth to become soft. These include pregnancy, breastfeeding, a diagnosis of diabetes as an adult, new allergies, and others.
If you’re developing cavities, they’re most likely from a poor diet and/or poor oral hygiene. Developing soft teeth is not something that occurs later in life. Rather, it happens in the developmental stages of teeth. Major life changes or traumas may contribute to a change in your oral health, but it is unlikely to cause “soft teeth.”
How to Prevent Cavities and Keep Your Teeth Strong
- Learn how to establish a good oral health routine and incorporate it into your schedule. Brush at least two times per day and floss at least once.
- Make sure you know how to brush your teeth. Not using enough force or using too much force can be detrimental to your oral health. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush to make it easier to thoroughly clean without causing damage to your teeth and gums.
- Also, make sure you know how to floss properly. Many people avoid flossing because they aren’t sure how to do it properly. If you don’t know, ask your dental hygienist for a tutorial during your next visit.
- Choose foods that are good for your teeth. Limit foods that are high in sugars and starch.
- Switch out sugary sodas and juices for more water. Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Keep up with regular dental exams.
- Don’t allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice, as this can cause baby bottle tooth decay. Also, discourage thumb sucking as much as possible.
- Schedule your child’s first dental visit when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday—whichever comes first.
- Help your child understand the importance of good oral hygiene by including brushing and flossing as part of their morning and evening routines.
What Causes Soft Teeth?
Having weakened enamel is commonly the problem rather than having soft teeth. Weakened enamel can be caused by regular exposure to acids and sugars. With acid reflux, acid moves up from the stomach into the esophagus and mouth. The acid causes erosion to the surface of the teeth. A high sugar diet isn’t as damaging as stomach acid but can still impact the enamel and cause decay if a person has poor dental hygiene.
Only a small number of people have soft or very weak teeth. Most tooth development finishes by the early teen years (except for wisdom teeth) so any damage to the teeth must be done prior to adolescence. Only children who are very ill, malnourished or have excessive bacteria or infections are likely to have soft teeth.
Weak teeth will have chalky spots or lines on the teeth, so it’s easy to spot if there’s a problem.
The causes of soft teeth include:
- Poor nutrition
- Tooth decay
- Bacteria from poor dental hygiene
- Infections
- Hormonal imbalances
- Trauma
- Acid reflux
Soft Teeth With Braces
It’s normal to feel like your teeth are soft when you have braces. Your teeth haven’t softened or weakened since having your braces fitted, but rather the teeth have been slightly loosened in the gums so they can be moved into the desired position. The bone that surrounds each tooth has also weakened due to the movement. Once the teeth stop moving, the bone will harden and your teeth won’t feel loose or soft.
How to Keep Your Teeth Strong
There are some simple steps you can take to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Diet
Limit eating sugary foods and drinks. These foods allow the bacteria in the mouth to thrive as it feeds on sugar. Foods that are high in acid should also be eaten in moderation to protect your teeth. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, peaches and pineapples, cheese and some other dairy foods, fish, fresh and processed meats, nuts and seeds are all high in acid.
Teeth Brushing
Always use a soft bristle brush to clean your teeth. A hard bristle can cause wear and tear on the enamel and even leave brush marks. Even with braces, there’s no need to brush your teeth using a firm hand. You need a good technique to make sure you’re effectively cleaning around the brackets rather than brushing vigorously. Brush gently and thoroughly to ensure you clean your teeth properly.
Brush your teeth after each meal to remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth. However, if you’ve eaten acidic foods, it’s best to wait 30 minutes. Foods that contain citric acid in particular soften the tooth enamel for a while and if you brush straight after, you can cause damage to the enamel. Be sure to floss your teeth twice a day to remove any bacteria and plaque between teeth and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
While you can’t replace lost enamel, you can use a remineralising toothpaste to increase the mineral content of tooth enamel. Remineralising toothpaste helps strengthen the tooth and can repair weak spots that are sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks. Remineralising toothpastes contain ingredients such as stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride and calcium phosphate.
Visit the Dentist
Make sure you see your dentist every six months for a consultation and professional clean. Your dentist will be able to identify if you have any weak spots and damage to your teeth.
If you’re waking up with sore or aching teeth, mention it to your dentist in case you’re grinding your teeth at night. Your dentist can check for signs of wear and tear and may recommend you wear a guard at night to protect your teeth.
Health Conditions
If you have heartburn or acid reflux, see your doctor or take an over the counter medication to relieve the symptoms and protect your teeth by stopping stomach acid from entering your mouth.
Women who have been through menopause are at greater risk of bone loss due to declining estrogen hormone levels. Bone loss of the jawbone places you at increased risk of tooth loss. Ask your doctor if you’re at risk of bone loss.