Why Is Tooth Enamel Important?

What is tooth enamel?

The increased awareness regarding tooth enamel in the past few decades is all thanks to dentists. People now understand the significance of tooth enamel and its role in maintaining oral health.

Tooth enamel forms a protective shell around teeth and gum to help it sustain a number of risks, infections and damages. It is a substance found on the top of the tooth and is extraordinarily hard. The protective layer creates a shield on the vulnerable area of the tooth to sustain tooth decay and cavities.

Moreover, enamel layer is translucent and allows light to pass through it. It covers dentin, an inner layer of the tooth responsible for tooth color and sensitivities.

Importance of tooth enamel

As one of the vital parts of tooth structure, enamel performs many functions for oral health. Tooth enamel’s strength keeps it protected from fracturing, cracking and breaking. Every time someone brushes, bites, chews or eats something, their teeth are at greater risk of damage. Tooth enamel also protects teeth from breaking apart.

Enamel is made of hydroxyapatite crystals, also called fluorapatite. The high concentration of these fluoride crystals enables enamel to sustain damages, acid attacks, plaque and bacteria. The potent crystals prevent tooth decays and cavities over time.

Enamel smoothness also plays a crucial role in keeping unwanted food fragments from sticking to the teeth and adds self-cleansing properties. Tooth enamel that loses its smoothness due demineralization or breakage is comparatively less resistant to bacteria and plaque.

Insulation of incisors from painful sensitivities due to temperature change is another significant function of enamel. Its opalescence is what gives your teeth its unique character and glossiness.

What happens if the enamel is damaged?

It would not be wrong to consider enamel as a helmet that protects what is underneath. If tooth enamel is cracked or damaged, the teeth will be more susceptible to bacteria, terrible infection, breakage and other damage.

Despite its hardness, enamel is prone to cracking and chipping. It does not have any living cells, so once enamel sustains damage, the body cannot repair its cracks naturally.

How can you protect enamel?

It is essential to protect tooth enamel. Patients can do it by simply avoiding sugary and starchy food and beverages. It can also be protected by incorporating good oral hygiene practices like regular flossing and brushing or professional cleaning.

Bottom line

Overall, protection of tooth enamel is the first step to averting conditions like periodontal disease, gum disease and other severe infections.

The importance of tooth enamel in terms of keeping your teeth strong and healthy is clear, so visit your dental professional to learn about the best ways to protect it.

Request an appointment in our Reading dentist office here: http://muhlenbergdental.com.

Recent Posts

Who Is A Candidate For A Dental Restoration?

A dental restoration can restore, renew and even replace teeth that are in bad shape. They are often used to repair teeth that have been lost, decayed or even slightly damaged from a chip or a crown. However, with all dental restorations, comes the possibility that it may not work, which is why it is…

Dental Restoration Treatment For Tooth Decay

Dental restorations treatments can be used to repair teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. Such treatments can also restore the look and functionality of the tooth.Tooth decay is an oral issue that most people have to deal with at some point. There are acids in some of the foods we consume, like citrus…

What A Dental Restoration Can Do For Your Smile

Dental Restorations is a type of treatment used to improve teeth that are in bad shape due to injury, decay, or genetic imperfections. There are a number of dental restorations that patients can consider, however, it is ultimately up to a general dentist to make a recommendation and treatment plan. Most procedures aim to make…

Why Do You Need Strong Tooth Enamel?

Strong tooth enamel is important for tooth functionality and durability. Enamel is the outermost portion of the teeth. It is a protective shell of sorts that guards teeth against decay. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. You read that right. Tooth enamel is even stronger than the bones in your body. The…


Muhlenberg Dental Associates

Share
Published by
Muhlenberg Dental Associates

Recent Posts

What Foods to Avoid If You Have Partial Dentures

Patients should stick with soft foods like cereals, fish, vegetables, potatoes, and eggs when they…

1 week ago

Reasons to Choose Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth

have at least one missing tooth, while about 40 million have lost all their real…

1 month ago

Dental Emergency Visit for Addressing Severe Pain

The only permanent solution to severe tooth pain is diagnosing the cause of the patient’s…

2 months ago

Dental Crown for a Tooth Restoration

One of the most effective ways to restore your damaged tooth and protect it from…

3 months ago

Invisalign Treatment from a General Dentist for Alignment or Crowding Issues

Invisalign® can straighten out crooked teeth; however, an extraction may be necessary first.

5 months ago

Talking to Your Dentist About Bad Breath

There are different levels of having bad breath and many different reasons for its cause,…

6 months ago