Our teeth are exposed to various elements every day, which can damage the enamel or lead to wear and tear. Enamel works hard to protect your tooth, from food and drinks to saliva and bacteria, but too much erosion can damage your teeth and lead to cavities. If you are concerned about your tooth enamel and want to protect demineralization, call Broadway Family Dental and schedule an appointment with our board-certified dentist. Dr. Ella Dekhtyar examines your teeth carefully to check for enamel erosion and recommends the best treatment options to repair tooth enamel. She also provides the best tips so you can continue to care for your teeth at home easily.
Dental enamel is a protective layer, the hardest tissue in the human body. It is incredibly durable and protects the teeth from the impact of daily activities such as chewing, crunching, and grinding. Though it is a tough material, enamel can wear away, chip, or break.
When enamel becomes weak, your teeth are more vulnerable to dental decay and fracturing, which can eventually result in tooth loss. Implementing preventive measures by adjusting your diet and instilling a proper oral hygiene routine can help prevent enamel erosion and keep it strong for a long time.
What Is Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel is the shiny, white outer shell that covers the tooth crown, the part you can see above the gums. Mostly made of minerals, it is the hardest substance in the body, even stronger than the bones.
This surface layer of the tooth forms an insulating barrier and resists the acidic foods and drinks we consume. It protects the tooth from physical, thermal, and chemical forces that can cause serious injury to the vital tissues underlying the dental pulp.
Enamel is made up of several minerals, which makes it the hardest substance in the body. The main mineral in tooth enamel is hydroxyapatite, a type of calcium phosphate in a crystal form.
Other minerals in tooth enamel include the following:
- Carbonate
- Fluoride
- Magnesium
- Sodium
Even though enamel is strong, it can break over time or wear down if you are not careful and protect your teeth with good oral care and hygiene habits. Dental plaque, acids from the foods you eat, and bacteria in your mouth, all can contribute to enamel damage. Strengthening tooth enamel involves a process known as remineralization, which is performed by experienced dentists.
Read on to learn why tooth enamel is so important, what causes its erosion, and what you can do to repair eroded tooth enamel and reverse its effects before it’s too late.
Importance of Tooth Enamel – Why Preventing Enamel Erosion Is Essential?
Tooth enamel is very important. As a protective outer layer, it not only shields the teeth from decay and bacteria but strengthens the underlying dentin. Enamel is also responsible for giving teeth their typical white color, which makes it so essential.
The significance of tooth enamel cannot be overstated as it protects the nerves and living issues of the teeth from acid attack of plaque. Enamel erosion occurs when acids destroy the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Once the enamel is breached, the softer dentin and pulp below it can be rapidly eaten away by bacteria, resulting in dental cavities. Your saliva works to neutralize any acids in your mouth, but specific diets, oral hygiene habits, and medical conditions can make it hard for the saliva to keep up.
Without a stronger outer enamel, you are at risk of developing cavities and experiencing other oral and health issues. Remember, once a tooth has fully eroded, it cannot grow back. The only thing to do is to protect your tooth enamel from erosion and work on restoring it before it is gone with proper care techniques.
Causes of Tooth Erosion
In most cases, enamel wears away over time due to the presence of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film comprised of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. It can accumulate between the teeth, around cavity fillings, and along the gum line. When bacteria feed on the sugars in the food, it leads to acid production, and this acid gradually destroys the healthy minerals in the enamel, creating pits on the surface of the teeth.
Yellowing teeth are a sign of enamel erosion. It is because the yellow layer or dentin beneath becomes exposed. Over time, the pits that develop in the enamel increase in size, resulting in tooth infection.
Other causes of tooth erosion include:
- Excessive consumption of sodas and juices, which are high in phosphoric and citric acids
- Eating too many starchy foods
- Environmental factors like friction, and everyday wear and tear
- Dry mouth
- Certain medications, such as aspirin or antihistamines
- Genetic predispositions, some people are more prone to thinner enamel
- Stress, which can cause grinding
- Chronic acid reflux
Your teeth lose minerals daily when bacteria in food and beverages attack them. Eroded teeth often appear discolored, cracked, chipped, or indented. They also become sensitive to tastes and temperatures.
How to Repair Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel loses minerals, weakens, and breaks down in stages. While your body cannot make new enamel or it does not grow back as it is not a living tissue, you can strengthen and repair existing enamel. With the help of the remineralization process, you can provide essential minerals like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate to your enamel and strengthen the outer layers of your teeth.
Here are some top tips and techniques that will help you repair tooth enamel, and restore it to full strength:
- Certain kinds of toothpaste and dental products remineralize tooth enamel by pushing calcium and phosphates back into the teeth and hardening the enamel.
- Fluoride is tooth enamel’s best friend. It plays a powerful role in repairing tooth enamel by capturing the calcium and phosphates, that acids draw from the teeth, and strengthen it after normal wear and tear.
- Visiting your dentist is important. If you are suffering from tooth decay or cavities, the dentist can add a sealant that bonds to the enamel. This extra layer of protection can act as an enamel substitute that can last for many years.
Preventing Enamel Erosion
You can prevent enamel erosion and ensure it does not occur again with the following tips:
- Reducing sugar, soft drinks, tobacco products and acidic food intake and rinsing your mouth frequently
- Using a softer toothbrush
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Reducing stress and using a nightguard if your dentist recommends
- Increase your water intake to wash away plaque, bacteria, and food particles
- Getting treatment for underlying conditions such as dry mouth, GERD, and bulimia nervosa that lead to enamel erosion
Practicing good dental hygiene habits can keep away enamel erosion and help you enjoy strong, healthy teeth for longer.
If you are concerned about the possibility of tooth enamel erosion, visit your dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth to determine the extent of damage and recommend the best ways to repair tooth enamel and prevent further erosion. Timely care and use of correct products are the only ways to reduce demineralization and save your teeth from cavities and decay.
Get a head start on tooth erosion before it’s too late. Enamel erosion requires consistent, routine cleanings and proper care through fluoride treatments and good oral care habits. Visit Broadway Family Dental to strengthen your tooth enamel with the right guidance. Dr. Ella Dekhtyar works hard to ensure every patient enjoys a beautiful smile and offers the most effective techniques to protect your dental enamel, retain its white color, and smooth the texture of your teeth. She ensures you achieve that dream smile you have always wanted.
Broadway Family Dental
1152 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
(718) 455-4400