What is tooth enamel?
Tooth enamel is the hard, white outer layer that covers your teeth. It’s made up of minerals, including calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. The role of tooth enamel is to protect your teeth from the everyday wear and tear of chewing, biting, and grinding. It also helps to prevent cavities by keeping bacteria and other harmful substances from getting into your teeth.
How does tooth enamel protect us?
Tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body. It protects our teeth from the everyday wear and tear of chewing, biting, and grinding.
Enamel also helps to protect our teeth from the acids that are produced when we eat sugary or acidic foods. These acids can break down the tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
What are the challenges for tooth enamel?
There are many challenges that tooth enamel faces. One of the biggest challenges is the amount of acid that it is exposed to on a daily basis. This acid can come from the food and drinks that we consume, as well as from the bacteria in our mouths. When this acid breaks down the tooth enamel, it can lead to sensitivity, cavities, and other problems.
Another challenge that tooth enamel faces is wear and tear. Over time, our teeth can become stained and yellowed from the food and drinks we consume and from the everyday activities we do (such as brushing our teeth). This wear and tear can also make our teeth more susceptible to damage and decay.
How to protect your tooth enamel?
#1 Limiting sugary drinks
Limiting sugary drinks can protect tooth enamel. When sugary drinks are consumed, the sugar interacts with the bacteria in plaque to form acids. These acids then attack the enamel, causing it to break down and leading to cavities. To help prevent this, it is important to limit sugary drinks and brush your teeth regularly.
Consult a dentist near you to know more about the drinks that you should avoid or start taking to protect your tooth enamel.
#2 Limiting sugary foods
Too much sugar can damage tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth produce acids that attack tooth enamel.
Over time, this can break down the enamel and lead to cavities. Limiting sugary foods can help protect your tooth enamel from damage. Consult a dentist near you to know more about the foods that you should avoid or start taking to protect your tooth enamel.
#3 Eat enamel-friendly foods
There are certain foods that can help protect our tooth enamel. Some examples of these include nuts, seeds, cheese, and plain yogurt. These foods contain high levels of phosphorus and calcium, which help to keep teeth healthy and strong.
Additionally, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is also beneficial for oral health as they contain vitamins and minerals that promote healthy gums and teeth.
#4 Don’t overbrush
If you want to protect your tooth enamel, don’t overbrush. Brushing too hard or too frequently can wear down the enamel, leaving your teeth more susceptible to decay. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush and gentle strokes. Every professional dentist would suggest not to overbrush your teeth.
Recommended post: How to brush & floss your teeth properly
#5 Avoid dry mouth
When it comes to oral health, one of the best things you can do for your teeth is to avoid having a dry mouth. A dry mouth can lead to a number of problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva is essential for keeping your mouth healthy, so it’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help keep your mouth moist.
#6 Visit your dentist regularly
It’s important to visit your dentist regularly if you want to protect your tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer of your teeth that protects them from decay. When it’s healthy, it’s strong and white.
But over time, it can become thin, weak, and yellow. This happens when plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth and damage the enamel. Regular dental checkups can help prevent this by removing plaque and tartar from your teeth.
