Tooth enamel is often forgotten about, as it is difficult for the average person to visually distinguish it from the rest of the tooth. Enamel is best described as a thin calcified material that is incredibly sturdy. Enamel is strong but not indestructible. The problem is, you might not find out your tooth enamel is wearing away until most of it is gone. Unfortunately, plenty of foods, beverages and insufficient dental habits can cause tooth enamel to erode. Here is a closer look at the importance of tooth enamel and how to prevent it from eroding.
Tooth enamel will gradually erode with the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings and other highly acidic foods and beverages. If teeth look more yellow, show dents or cracks, appear transparent toward the edges or feel more sensitive, the enamel might be dissipating. If enamel is breached, the highly sensitive dentin underneath will be exposed. Preserving the integrity of tooth enamel now means less worrying about exposed dentin in the future.
Most people have the power to stop, or at least slow, tooth enamel erosion. Aside from cleaning teeth after each meal, the most important thing to do is consume a balanced diet, limit consumption of highly acidic foods and beverages, and try to completely cut out products that contain sugar. Rinsing out the mouth with water after consuming something acidic can also help. However, people mistakenly clean their teeth immediately following a snack or meal. Tooth enamel is highly sensitive at this point, so it's important to wait 20-30 minutes after eating before brushing teeth.
People may question whether it is worth it to skip a brushing session or eat a highly acidic food. Consider the fact that your tooth enamel is merely as thick as a key. Letting acid wear away at this protective layer will expose the sensitive dentin underneath. Tooth enamel needs to guard the inner layers of your teeth against acids that spur the formation of uncomfortable cavities. Furthermore, tooth enamel will make it easier to tolerate cold, hot, acidic and sugary foods/beverages.
So, do not take the easy road and gorge on acidic beverages and foods without concern for the ramifications. Opt for non-acidic items, clean your teeth promptly, and you will do your part to preserve your limited supply of tooth enamel. Also, be sure to visit our office for more information. We are happy to help you maintain strong tooth enamel and healthy teeth!
Request an appointment in our Long Beach dentist office here: https://www.arcdentistry.com.
Dental restorationss are a great way to improve oral health and the way the smile appears. One of the most common dental restoration options is dental veneer placement. According to WebMD, dental veneers are routinely used to fix teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned and even severely gapped, all of which classify as…
If you have a cavity, there is no cause to worry. The typical treatment option available is to fill up the cavity. The procedure entails substituting decayed tooth material with fillings, which can be made from resin, ionomers, gold, amalgam, or ceramics.This may seem daunting, but the procedure for tooth cavity filling is relatively easy…
If you have a chipped tooth, you should contact us as soon as possible. Not treating a chipped tooth in a timely manner will cause significant problems down the line.Here is a look at how the failure to seek proper treatment for a chipped tooth will hinder your oral health.Without professional treatment, the broken tooth…
If you damage a tooth, it is critical that you visit our dentist office as soon as possible. The last thing you want to do is deal with the pain and discomfort that comes from having a cracked or chipped tooth.Fortunately, we make it easy for you to have your tooth restored so you can…
A root canal cleans out infection from the interior of a tooth, but dentists will attempt other options, such as dental fillings, when possible. Therefore, it can be hard for patients to know when they may need a root canal or whether a problem can be solved in another way. The signs that you may…
Restorative dentistry treatments can change your smile and oral health dramatically. This dental subspecialty is particular because it allows patients to once again enjoy normal oral functions. The services deal with dental problems and help patients get back self-esteem and quality of life.The primary focus of a restorative dentist is the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment…