Protecting every aspect of your teeth is necessary to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. One important tooth component is enamel. This extremely hard covering protects your teeth from damage, so it is vital to the health of your smile. Unfortunately, some of your favorite foods and beverages can be harmful to your enamel. The following post explains the problem in greater detail:
The enamel on your teeth is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in your body. It covers the outer layer of each tooth, and it is the most visible part of the tooth. The enamel is made up mostly of minerals, primarily hydroxyapatite. The color can vary from light yellow to grayish white. Because it is semi-translucent, it is only partially responsible for the color of your teeth.
Tooth enamel plays a very important role in protecting your teeth from decay, so it is important to do everything that you can to prevent your enamel from eroding. It forms a strong barrier that shields the inner layers of your teeth from the effects of acids and plaque. It also protects the sensitive inner layers of your teeth from foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold.
If your enamel is destroyed, your body does not make more to replace it. Unlike other parts of your body — like your bones — teeth enamel does not contain any living cells, so it cannot regenerate.
You can protect your enamel by avoiding foods that are known to cause a lot of damage. Sugary foods and acidic fruits and beverages are among the most damaging to your enamel. When those substances stick to your teeth and interact with bacteria in your mouth, lactic acid is produced, which can damage your enamel. Read more from Colgate Enamel Health
Regular Dental Check-ups Required
Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne relies on state-of-the-art technology to keep track of your oral health. Even the most advanced tools are useless, however, when there aren’t opportunities to utilize them. Stay proactive and maintain your regular dental check-ups to ensure that dental issues can be caught early and addressed before damage occurs. Between office visits, there are many things you can do to protect your smile, particularly from enamel loss. Learn more from WebMd:
How do you prevent enamel loss?
To prevent enamel loss and keep teeth healthy, be sure to brush, floss, and rinse with a fluoride and antiseptic mouthwash daily. See your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleaning. You can also try the following:
- Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks from your diet such as carbonated sodas, lemons, and other citrus fruits and juices.
- Rinse your mouth immediately with clear water after eating acidic foods or drinking acidic drinks.
- Use a straw when you drink acidic drinks. The straw pushes the liquid to the back of your mouth, avoiding your teeth.
- Monitor snacks. Snacking throughout the day increases the chance of tooth decay. The mouth is acidic for a few hours after eating foods high in sugar and starches. Avoid snacking unless you’re able to rinse your mouth and brush teeth.
- Chew sugar-free gum between meals. Chewing gum boosts saliva production up to 10 times the normal flow. Saliva helps strengthen teeth with important minerals. Be sure to select sugar-free gum with xylitol, which is shown to reduce acids in beverages and foods.
- Drink more water throughout the day if you have low saliva volume or dry mouth.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth, so make sure fluoride is listed as an ingredient in your toothpaste. Ask your dentist if sealants may be helpful in preventing enamel erosion and tooth decay. Additional details at WebMD
Comprehensive Smile Consultations
Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne offers a wide array of dental solutions to help you achieve and maintain a gleaming smile. If you’re due for a complete dental exam, contact Adult Dentistry today to schedule a visit with Dr. Harrell. He is recognized as one of the city’s top dentists year-after-year by Charlotte magazine. Call now at 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on the site to make an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
