What is tooth enamel and how to preserve it?

Your oral health majorly depends on your ability to maintain an effective dental care routine to safeguard your teeth. Dental experts recommend brushing your teeth twice a day as a general rule to maintain your overall teeth health. However, preserving your teeth enamel is an important factor that you need to consider for maintaining your oral health. Knowing about the enamel and the causes of tooth enamel erosion can help you to safeguard your teeth in a better way.

What is Tooth Enamel?

Enamel is the outer layer that covers each tooth's surface and protects the soft and fragile inner parts of your teeth. Tooth enamel is the toughest substance that is found in the entire body that forms a protective layer to safeguard vulnerable areas of the teeth such as the pulp and dentin. The dental enamel is translucent thereby providing a distinctive colour to your teeth.

Your tooth enamel is made up of a mineral called hydroxyapatite which constitutes a major part of your enamel coating. Having your teeth enamel in the best condition will help you to protect your teeth against tooth decay and various other dental issues. Tooth erosion can be linked to teeth enamel damage as the bacteria enters the inner part of your teeth through the openings in the enamel layer.

What Causes Tooth Enamel Erosion?

It is important to know the reasons that lead to decayed enamel so you can take the necessary measures to protect this thin layer. The production of acids in your mouth can erode the enamel layer leading to various dental issues.

• Consuming drinks that have a high sugar content such as soda, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, etc. The bacteria in your mouth create acids with the help of the sugar content in your mouth leading to enamel erosion.

• Consumption of alcohol and similar drinks can dry out your mouth while also increasing the sugar content. Such drinks can cause low saliva levels in your mouth which can lead to the breeding of bacteria.

• Eating overly sweet food products such as candies, sweets, sour foods, etc.

• External conditions can cause wear and tear, stress, and friction on the surface of the teeth leading to teeth enamel damage.

• Overeating and binge eating leads to a constant acidic state of the mouth that can affect the enamel layer of your teeth.

How to Preserve Your Tooth Enamel?

It is essential to preserve your tooth enamel with utmost care as the body doesn’t produce this tissue once it is eroded. You need to take care of the existing enamel layer on your teeth to avoid any permanent dental issues in the future.

• Your diet should consist of fruits and vegetables that are rich in fibre. This will help you to increase the saliva flow in your mouth and neutralise the effect of acids on the enamel.

• Consume dairy products such as milk and cheese to increase your calcium content. Consuming food products that are rich in calcium will help to strengthen your teeth enamel.

• You can chew sugar-free chewing gum between your meals to increase saliva production. Saliva will neutralise the harmful effects of acids on your enamel while also strengthening your teeth with trace minerals.

• Visit your dentist regularly for a timely checkup between a timeframe of 3-6 months. Your dentist can help you to notice any signs of teeth erosion and help you to counter any underlying teeth issues.

Conclusion

Enamel is the most important factor in safeguarding your teeth from various dental issues. You should take all the necessary precautions to protect and preserve your teeth enamel. If you are looking for the treatment of teeth for misalignment, then you can check out high-quality invisible aligners from makeO toothsi. The clear aligners from makeO toothsi can fix various teeth alignments issues such as teeth gaps, uneven bite, and crooked teeth. You can start your teeth straightening process with a pricing plan starting from ₹3,219/month.

FAQs on tooth enamel erosion

1. Can enamel be restored on teeth?

No, once tooth enamel is eroded from the surface of your teeth, it cannot be completely restored. You can improve the condition of your teeth enamel to a certain extent by improving its mineral content.

2. What happens when tooth enamel is gone?

When tooth enamel is degraded, your teeth will be more vulnerable to the development of cavities and decay. Your teeth sensitivity will also be affected as consuming hot or cold items can give rise to a sharp sensation due to exposed nerves.

3. What is tooth enamel made of?

Tooth enamel is made up of hydroxyapatite which forms a majority part of the tooth enamel. This crystal structure is derived from the mineral calcium phosphate. Although, other compounds are present in trace amounts in the making of tooth enamel.

4. How can I strengthen my enamel?

You can strengthen your enamel by consuming food products that are high in calcium. Consuming calcium-rich foods will help to strengthen the enamel by adding trace minerals and neutralising the effects of acids.