Preventive Dentistry Tips to Know About Tooth Enamel

Almost everyone understands the importance behind brushing your teeth and the role tooth enamel plays in preventative dentistry and maintaining dental health.

However, many underestimate the unique quality that enamel has and don’t have a complete understanding of how enamel works, which in return makes it far more difficult to take the necessary precautions to ensure they maintain healthy tooth enamel.

Strong Tooth Enamel Is Crucial for Healthy Teeth

Of course, no one wants to see their tooth enamel begin to diminish. Not only can a cavity be painful, but those with enamel erosion are left with a less attractive smile.

With that said, many individuals don’t understand how tooth enamel works and do not use preventive dentistry to stop any erosion from occurring, despite understanding the vital role enamel plays in dental health. Here are five facts about tooth enamel that should give a better idea as to what enamel is and how to prevent erosion from occurring in your mouth.

Tooth enamel is strong, but it still needs support

Tooth enamel is one of the stronger substances in the human body. Considering the average human jaw can exert 171 pounds of force, this fact is extremely good news.

If tooth enamel were not so durable, people would be much more at risk of dental health concerns, so let’s start by being thankful for the excellent strength of enamel. However, tooth enamel is still vulnerable to erosion, which is why it is important to practice good oral hygiene.

Enamel requires a steady supply of minerals

What’s the secret behind the super-strength of enamel? If you dig down into the construction of enamel, the strength can be attributed to the minerals calcium and phosphate.

Although these two minerals help make tooth enamel remarkably resilient, they require a steady supply of mineral support, which is why fluoride treatment is the most highly recommended way to strengthen your enamel.

Acid producing bacteria cause tooth decay

If tooth enamel is so durable, then why is enamel erosion so common? Quite simply, minerals have a kryptonite, which is acid producing bacteria.

When enamel is exposed to increased amounts of eroding substances, such as sugar then the healthy, supportive minerals go to war against the harmful acid producing bacteria. If the bacteria begins to erode more than the minerals that are in the enamel, then erosion begins to occur.

Excessive force when brushing wears down tooth enamel

Regardless of how hard enamel may be, constantly putting excessive pressure on anything will wear it down over time.

The same concept applies to tooth enamel. When teeth are bombarded continuously with excessive force when brushing, the enamel will begin to weaken, which will eventually lead to chipping or erosion.

Enamel erosion is irreversible

The worst part about enamel erosion is that it is impossible to reverse, meaning once it’s gone it will never grow back. While eroded enamel can be treated artificially, it is best to protect enamel and make it last a lifetime.

Otherwise, expensive filling procedures will be the only option for ensuring the quality of dental health and a great looking smile.

We are always here to help in guiding you on making the best choices for your tooth enamel and oral health. Give us a call and let us help you in making the right decision, and giving you all the information you need to keep your teeth and enamel in good shape. 

Call (610) 844-9825 today to reach Muhlenberg Dental Associates for more preventive dentistry tips. 

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dentistry in Reading, PA.

Recent Posts

Packing Your Lunch: 5 Foods That Help Keep Your Teeth Healthy

More people are packing their lunches at home to take to work. To help save money, this cost-saving habit can be great on the wallet. However, it also allows for more control over the type of food that you eat. Today, we will cover the top 5 best foods to have in a diet that…

Preventive Dentistry Tips To Avoid Cavities

When it comes to brushing your teeth, some people feel missing a random day or two is not a big deal because their teeth are healthy and are not in danger of falling out. Even though it is true that your teeth will not fall out because you failed to clean them occasionally, failure to…

Preventive Dentistry Tips: How To Floss Properly

Flossing is a big part of preventive dentistry. It removes plaques, makes teeth less likely to decay and also reduces the risk of gum disease. You need to clean between your teeth every day, according to the American Dental Association. This can be difficult if you do not know what to do. Follow some tips…

What To Expect During A Dental Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand the importance of these appointments, the specifics of what happens during dental cleanings may remain a bit mysterious.In this review, we discuss the procedure of a typical dental cleaning, providing insight into the process and highlighting its significance in preventive…

Muhlenberg Dental Associates

Share
Published by
Muhlenberg Dental Associates

Recent Posts

Root Canal Aftercare: Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Finding out that you need a root canal can be nerve-racking. Caring for the treated…

1 month ago

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand…

2 months ago

Benefits of General Dentistry Preventive Treatments

Preventive care helps to keep the patient's teeth and gums in good oral health, by…

3 months ago

Tips for Partial Denture Care

Those that wear partial dentures can expect an easier eating experience, better speaking and an…

4 months ago

When You Should Call Your Dentist for a Dental Checkup

A dental checkup also gives the dentist a chance to notice abnormalities in a person’s…

5 months ago

Routine Dental Procedures Performed by a Family Dentist

Visiting the family dentist’s office at least two times each year may lower the risk…

6 months ago