Tooth enamel forms the outer layer of your teeth, and it does much more than you may think. Your enamel is the first line of defense against all the threats your teeth face and does an excellent job, but it’s not invincible. Taking care of your tooth enamel is essential to ensure long-term oral health, and you can take some simple steps to make that happen.
Tooth Enamel Protects Your Teeth
The outer layer of your teeth is made up of a material called enamel. This hard material contains minerals, including calcium and phosphorus. It gives your teeth their unique pearly color, with an off-white coloration and a slight translucency.[1] However, enamel does much more than make your smile look nice.
Enamel is the strong, durable layer that protects the more vulnerable materials inside. The next layer is dentin, which is considerably softer and wears away quickly when exposed. Beyond that, you’ll find pulp and nerve tissue, which are susceptible to infection when exposed.
Your tooth enamel withstands the everyday forces involved in biting and chewing. It also withstands the chemistry inside your mouth, with sugars and acids both posing a serious threat. Enamel prevents all these factors from harming the inner layers of the tooth, safeguarding your long-term oral health.[1]
Tooth Decay Constantly Threatens Your Enamel
While enamel is strong, it is under constant threat by tooth decay. Your mouth always contains bacteria that feed on bits of food particles. As they metabolize those particles, they secrete acid.[2]
That acid leaches away the minerals inside the enamel, making it weak and eventually can lead to a cavity. The cavity that formed provides further shelter for bacteria and causes the problem to become even worse.[2]
Bacteria are always present in your mouth, meaning this is always a potential risk. However, bacteria levels can grow higher due to poor oral hygiene, lack of regular dental visits, and factors such as gum disease. In these cases, tooth decay will likely lead to significant enamel loss.
Lost Tooth Enamel Doesn’t Grow Back
The reason why enamel loss is so serious is that your enamel does not grow back. Once it is gone, it is gone for good. This leads to serious long-term oral health issues, with tooth loss being incredibly common. According to research, 17% of seniors 65 years and older have no remaining natural teeth.[3]
Prevention is the most crucial step in protecting your smile against enamel loss. When localized areas of enamel are lost, solutions such as dental fillings can help. However, more severe enamel loss may require dental crowns or even lead to tooth extraction and replacement.
How You Can Prevent Enamel Erosion
You can take some simple steps to prevent enamel erosion. First, make sure to keep up with routine dental visits. Your dentist will identify whether enamel erosion is becoming an issue and can provide guidance and treatment. Professional dental cleaning also removes plaque and tartar, which helps prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride treatment is another excellent way to safeguard enamel. Fluoride works by increasing remineralization to strengthen weakened enamel.[4] It doesn’t replace lost enamel but helps prevent enamel loss. You can take advantage of fluoride treatment during regular dental visits and consider a fluoride toothpaste.
Watching what you eat also has a significant impact. Acidic foods and drinks can directly weaken enamel. Some examples include coffee, tea, wine, citrus fruits, and tomato sauce. Very sugary foods and beverages such as candy and soda enable bacteria to create more acid, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.
Taking the Best Care of Your Tooth Enamel
Taking care of your tooth enamel is essential to avoid tooth decay, its sensitivity, and potential tooth loss. Empire Dental Care provides a full range of preventive dentistry treatments to safeguard your smile, including routine exams and cleanings, fluoride treatments, and more. Book your next appointment by calling 585-671-1650 or contacting us online.
Sources:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24798-tooth-enamel
[2] https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay
[3] https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/tooth-loss/seniors