Your Teeth & Enamel – How You Can Protect Both
Your teeth are very unique. They are the strongest bones in your body and the only ones that are visible. Despite being the strongest thing there is in your body, only a thin layer called enamel protects your teeth from the destructive forces of sugars and food acids. If you don’t take the right steps to continually strengthen your enamel, you will face problems including tooth decay and tooth loss! To protect your teeth, here’s a few things you need to know about enamel wear and tear and what you can do to prevent it.
What is Tooth Enamel?
It’s important you understand what tooth enamel is before we dive into the effects of abrasion and erosion on your teeth. Enamel is the outermost, translucent layer of your teeth; its primary function is to protect your teeth when biting and chewing foods. It encases the softer but white part of your teeth called dentin. Enamel also shelters your teeth from burning foods and nasty chemicals.
Albeit enamel is strong, it remains prone to chips, cracks, staining and erosion. Once your enamel is gone, it’s gone for good! The destructive substances once stopped by your enamel will now attack the inner parts of your teeth, causing them to quickly decay. As a result, you will experience oral pain, tooth loss and infections.
That’s what makes it all the more important you know how to take care of it!
Causes of Enamel Damage
There are two ways enamel is damaged – abrasion and erosion.
Abrasion happens when you rub something against your teeth. By brushing your teeth with a hard-bristled toothbrush, overusing toothpicks or playing around with your retainer, you’re scraping away the enamel that’s there to protect your teeth. Nail biting and using your teeth as a tool also fall under this category. With preventative care, you can prevent teeth abrasion and enamel erosion.
Erosion is another problem. This happens when the bacteria inside your mouth break down all the foods and drinks that are layering your teeth into acid. Your saliva is capable of neutralizing most of these acids, but if you experience dry mouth, your teeth are in for a world of hurt. The acid will eat away at your enamel until you have none left. Bulimia, a disorder that calls for binge eating followed by regurgitation, exposes your teeth to stomach acid that’s meant for breaking down food. Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are other ways stomach acid goes the wrong way, causing damage to your teeth.
Tell-Tale Signs of Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion isn’t always apparent, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t clear signs to watch out for. For one, if your teeth are yellowing or seem to shine, this is a good indicator you may be experiencing enamel erosion. Sudden sensitivity to hold, cold or sweet foods is another sign which will worsen if you don’t take care of the problem as soon as possible. Lastly, if the corners of your teeth start to rough up, its an early sign your enamel is wearing down. Make sure you address each of these signs as early as you can to prevent any further enamel loss.
Enamel Remineralization
As we said before, once your enamel is gone, it is gone for good. However, there is a way to strengthen the enamel you do have, and that is through remineralization. By replacing lost minerals in your enamel, it’ll be strong once again!
The process is pretty easy. Fluoridated toothpastes and foods with lots of calcium are perfect tools to aid with the remineralization process. Fluoride is great because it acts as a shield for your teeth against sugars, starches and acids. Calcium is forever important because of its role in strengthening your bones, including your teeth.
Beyond enamel remineralization, you can protect your teeth and enamel with basic oral healthcare. Make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing to combat enamel loss. Try to include mouthwash in your routine, which helps flush out any food particles left in your mouth which’ll only break down into acid. Talk with your dentist, as they can help you find other ways to remineralize your teeth. Make sure you ask them the next time you go in for a scheduled cleaning.
To learn more about how you can stop enamel erosion and protect your teeth, contact One Stop Implants & Dental online or by phone at (800) 862-2249.
