Tooth Roughness: What You Need To Know

When many people run their tongue along the surface of their teeth, they encounter an uncomfortable feeling: roughness. A smooth feeling is typically expected when one runs their tongue along the surface of their teeth. After all, this is the sensation associated with optimal dental health. If you’ve noticed some roughness on the surface of your teeth, then chances are that your dental health is suffering.

Before we dive further into the subject, it’s important to distinguish between a rough or “fuzzy” feeling and the minute crevices of natural ridges and grooves on teeth as this will help you figure out whether or not you have a health problem to deal with. Another way to tell if your teeth are rough is through the experience of a “furry” feeling that’s somewhat equivalent to the sensation of rubbing a fur rug.

With all this talk about rough teeth and dental health, you may have this particular question in mind: “Why are my teeth rough, and what does this feeling indicate?”

In order to better understand the sensation, let’s hop into the details.

Why do your teeth feel rough?

Most of us experience a rough feeling on our teeth when we wake up in the morning. This is because plaque builds up while we sleep. In most cases, however, this gritty or fuzzy feeling goes away after thorough flossing, brushing and gargling. Once your teeth are clean, they typically return to the natural smooth texture that you would usually expect. This is a normal part of our daily dental routines and doesn’t indicate anything is wrong with your teeth. If you continue to experience roughness on the surface of your teeth even after brushing, however, you may have more cause for concern.

In many cases, a persistent roughness of the teeth after brushing can be linked to plaque formation. An accumulation of plaque is the most common cause of furry or fuzzy teeth other than cracks, chips, or other types of dental damage. Typically, plaque forms on every set of teeth in the world every day, but if the fuzzy feeling persists, then it’s best to head over to your dentist to get a checkup.

When overlooked, plaque formations can harden and turn into tartar. Acting as a magnet for germs, tartar can host a wide range of bacteria by being an ideal surface to settle on, which in turn can lead to tooth decay when it isn’t removed.

How can you address tooth roughness?

There are a variety of ways that you can address any degree of roughness on your teeth, all of which often range from household cures to professional help. For a home cure, consider an electric toothbrush and better brushing techniques as this can alleviate surface issues caused by plaque. Additionally, tooth roughness can be linked to acidic damage, which can be alleviated by avoiding certain foods and drinks with high acidity as this will keep your teeth from becoming pitted by acid. If your tooth roughness won’t go away with home remedies, however, make sure that you schedule a professional cleaning with your dentist so that they can restore your pearly whites.

Tooth roughness is not only unpleasant but also unhealthy. If you have been experiencing a gritty feeling on your teeth that just won’t go away no matter what you do, schedule a visit with a dentist immediately.

If you’re looking for a local dentist to help you with your tooth roughness, get in touch with us today for a free consultation!