Best Ways to Protect Your Tooth Enamel

Enamel is very important for keeping teeth healthy, as it acts as a protective layer against temperature sensitivity, tooth damage from improper teeth cleaning, dietary and plaque acids. Tooth enamel is stronger than the bones, but it doesn’t contain any living cells, so it can’t regrow. That’s why the protection of tooth enamel is significant for maintaining oral health.

Reasons for Destroying Tooth Enamel

Lots of foods and drinks which people consume every day contain acids that cause destroying tooth enamel. They weaken the enamel over time and the process of acid erosion takes place. It also can be caused by oral bacteria in plaque that deals with the sugar in the food people eat. Weak enamel is one of the factors that cause a cavity , so keeping it strong and healthy will help avoid cavities in your mouth. Moreover, it helps keep teeth white. So if you are interested in teeth whitening, you should focus on protecting your enamel.  Taking efficient steps for its strengthening is a guarantee of healthy gums now and long years forward.

Tips on Protecting Tooth Enamel

Visiting a dentist at least twice a year and professional dental cleaning is very important for maintaining oral health. But there are a few simple steps that you can do every day to protect your tooth enamel:

1.  Brush properly

Dentists recommend cleaning teeth twice a day to keep tooth enamel strong. You should choose the right toothbrush and change it every three-four months. However, the most important is the proper technique. Take a toothbrush and place it at  45-degree angle to the gums, and brush the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces with short back-and-forth motions; afterward tilt the brush vertically.  Mind that too fast and too hard brushing may hurt your tooth enamel. Do not forget to clean your tongue as well to remove bacteria and avoid possible causes of bad breath. Use floss after each meal to remove food, plaque, and bacteria between teeth.

2.  Be choosy about a toothpaste

Not all kinds of toothpaste have the same good impact on the teeth. To protect your gums, use fluoride toothpaste, as it helps strengthen tooth enamel and alters the early signs of decay.  American Dental Association states that toothpaste with fluoride reduces the possibility of having cavities by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks. While choosing the toothpaste, prefer purchasing the remineralizing one.

3.  Check your food intake

You can protect your tooth enamel by consuming the right food. For example, dairy products like cheese, yogurt, milk contain calcium that is a powerful element for strengthening and remineralizing tooth enamel. Moreover, they boost saliva secretion which helps fight bacteria in the mouth. Include animal protein (beef, chicken) to your daily diet to increase magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium intake. Consider adding other vitamins and minerals to ration for healthy teeth.   

4.  Stop teeth grinding

Unfortunately, many people have bad habits that harm teeth, and grinding is one of them. In such a way, tooth enamel is destroyed, baring deeper layers of the teeth. They even may become chipped, flattened, and fractured because of this bad habit. You must stop teeth grinding or think of purchasing special guards for their protection.

5.  Reduce sugar consuming

Any beverages and food that are high in sugar create bacteria in your teeth that are harmful to enamel. As a result, acid is produced and causes sensitivity, discoloration, and enamel weakness. Replace your favorite drinks and meals with some useful alternatives that are appearing in the market every day.

6.  Chew sugar-free gum

American Dental Association states that chewing gum has some advantages for oral health as it helps produce saliva. Extra saliva washes away all acids, fights bacteria, supplies additional enamel-boosting calcium and phosphate. Note that gum must be sugar-free, and contain active elements that can remineralize teeth, and diminish plaque and decay.

The Final Thoughts

If you are taking care of your oral health only when you have problems – this is the biggest problem. Make sure you know all signs you need to see a dentist, but even if you feel great, visit a specialist twice per year. You can have a professional teeth cleaning, or a regular checkup. Follow all tips on protecting your tooth enamel, and avoid possible complications. We at Gallegos Family Dentistry, are ready to perform teeth cleaning in Albuquerque or consult you on any other issues connected with your oral health.