Tooth enamel safeguards your teeth from several oral diseases. Learn how to strengthen tooth enamel and maintain oral health.
What Is Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel is like a rigid shield that covers the visible part of our teeth. It’s super hard and comprised of various minerals, with hydroxyapatite being the main one. These minerals strengthen enamel and protect our teeth from regular biting and chewing.
Tooth enamel is made of carbonate, fluoride, and magnesium, which form tiny rods and tubes, making it even more challenging.
Enamel also acts as a barrier against bacteria, toxins, acids, and other harmful things we encounter daily. Its mineral strength helps us keep our bones healthy by defending against harmful acids that could lead to problems like cavities or gum disease.
Causes of Enamel Weakening
Enamel usually doesn’t just break off; it slowly weakens and wears away over time. So, the common reasons enamel becomes weak are things that gradually harm it over time. Some of the top causes of enamel weakening or erosion include:
- Acid reflux
- Regular vomiting, like what happens in bulimia
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Frequently having acidic foods or drinks
- Grinding your teeth
- Not taking good care of your teeth
Signs of Weak Enamel
Signs of weak enamel are:
- Teeth changing color, looking dull, gray, or yellow
- Minor dents on your teeth, like tiny cups
- Feeling pain when you eat or drink hot or cold stuff
- Edges of your teeth becoming rough
- Pain in the later stages of enamel wear
You should talk to your dentist if you see any of these signs of enamel wear.
Ways to Strengthen Tooth Enamel
Keep Your Mouth Healthy
Keeping a healthy mouth strengthen tooth enamel. Caring for your teeth isn’t just about brushing and flossing twice daily. You must also know when and how to brush to protect your teeth.
Refrain from brushing your teeth after eating acidic foods or drinking acidic drinks like soda. If you do, you might spread the acid around your teeth, weakening your enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth with water after having these foods or drinks and wait 30 minutes before brushing. This gives your saliva a chance to neutralize the acid in your mouth.
If you’re sick and throw up, rinse your mouth with milk, a baking soda rinse, or water to remove the stomach acid on your teeth. Wait to brush until after you’ve stopped throwing up.
When you brush your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and be gentle. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can wear down your enamel, especially if your enamel is already weak.
Avoid Harmful Food
Cut back on foods and drinks that can damage your teeth’s outer layer, called enamel. Avoid harmful foods to strengthen tooth enamel. Some common foods causing enamel damage are:
- Sports drinks
- Sodas
- Sour candies
- Sugary foods
- Acidic fruits and fruit juices, like citrus fruits and berries
Sugary foods don’t directly harm your enamel but give food to bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce acid when they feed on starches, which can cause enamel and tooth problems.
You don’t have to give up these foods that can harm your enamel ultimately. You can still enjoy them as part of a meal, but rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after eating to protect your enamel.
Use Fluoride
Fluoride is like a superhero for your tooth enamel. It strengthen tooth enamel and fixes it when worn out.
To get the benefits of fluoride, you can use toothpaste and mouthwash that have fluoride in them. Some dentists can even give you a stronger fluoride treatment if your enamel is weak.
Fluoride products in your daily oral care routine can help strengthen tooth enamel.
Pick Sugar-Free Options
Sugar can harm your enamel. It’s a good idea to go for sugar-free versions of your favorite chewing gum, soda, or other sugary treats. Many sodas have diet or sugar-free options that are better for your teeth.
Regular Dental Check-ups
Even though most of the work to fix enamel erosion happens at home, seeing your dentist regularly is still super important.
Your dentist will ensure your teeth stay clean and healthy with regular check-ups. They can also help you with fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel. So, remember to visit your dentist regularly.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is vital for many things in your body, and many people don’t drink enough. Try drinking more water to wash away saliva and bacteria from your teeth after you eat. Water won’t harm your teeth, so it’s a perfect choice.
Take Supplements
If you’re not getting enough calcium from your food, you can think about taking supplements. These simple vitamin pills give you all the necessary calcium and strengthen tooth enamel. This way, you can ensure you take advantage of essential vitamins.
Conclusion
The blog guides you on how to strengthen tooth enamel to promote oral health. Enamel is essential in maintaining a healthy mouth. It fights harmful bacteria and prevents oral diseases. Contact Dentalsway for more information. Your smile is our priority.
