We all appreciate a sparkling white smile. But the surface of your teeth plays a much more important role than just looking good.
Enamel is the hard shell that covers the outside of our teeth. It’s actually the hardest tissue in our bodies. It protects the teeth from damage caused by chewing, biting and grinding. It also provides a layer of insulation to protect teeth and the nerves inside them from pain caused by extreme temperatures and chemicals.
Tooth enamel can be broken or chipped if you bite into something very hard or hit your teeth against something, such as during a fall. Unlike a broken bone, once the enamel is damaged, the body is not able to repair or replace it.
Enamel can also be damaged by erosion which causes the enamel to gradually become thinner. Friction from teeth rubbing together while chewing, or pressure from grinding teeth together can damage the enamel.
When enamel becomes thin, teeth can become sensitive to certain foods such as sweets, as well as hot or cold temperatures. Teeth may also appear discolored or yellow and may have visible cracks, chips or indentations.
Acids in foods and drinks can also make tooth enamel temporarily softer. During this phase, enamel can lose some of its mineral content and can more easily be damaged by hard surfaces rubbing against the teeth.
Over time, saliva or spit naturally neutralizes acids in the mouth and allows the enamel to return to its normal hardness. Saliva also contains large amounts of calcium which can help restore minerals to the teeth.
Watch out for these things that can damage your tooth enamel:
Acids
Carbonated soft drinks (sodas), fruit drinks and citrus fruit such as lemons all contain large amounts of acid. Use a straw to pull acidic drinks to the back of your mouth and don’t swish acid liquids around in your mouth before swallowing.
Rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating or drinking anything acidic to clean the acids off your teeth.
Sugars and starches
Foods that are high in sugar or starch increase the acid content in the mouth for several hours after you eat. Avoid snacking on these foods during the day, or make sure to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating them.
Dry mouth
Saliva helps clean and protect your teeth. If you don’t produce enough saliva or have a dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day to help protect your teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help boost saliva production.
Plaque
This sticky film made up of food particles, bacteria and saliva can stick to teeth and eat away at minerals in the tooth enamel. Brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste and get your teeth cleaned to prevent plaque build-up.
Brushing your teeth regularly is an important way to clean and protect your teeth. Knowing when to brush and when not to brush is also important.
DO brush your teeth at least twice a day, and make sure one of those times is at the end of the day after you are done eating and drinking, and before you go to bed.
DON’T brush for at least an hour after you eat or drink anything acidic. Brushing during this time when your enamel is softened can damage the surface of your teeth.
If you have questions about how to protect your teeth, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist.
Sources:
Web MD. Oral Care: Tooth Enamel Erosion and Restoration. Web. February 4, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration?...
British Dental Health Foundation. Mouth Conditions: Dental erosion. Web. February 4, 2015.
http://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/mouth-conditions/dental-...
Reviewed February 5, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith