The Importance of Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth. It is formed while the tooth is developing in the gum. Tooth enamel is also the hardest substance in the human body and contains the highest percentage of minerals, the primary mineral being hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate.
The main purpose of tooth enamel is to protect your teeth while chewing on crunchy foods and drinking acidic beverages.
Signs of tooth enamel loss
Recognising the signs for tooth enamel loss and will help you adjust your oral care routine to prevent any further problems. These signs can include your teeth:
- Looking discoloured and yellow
- Being rough and jagged around the edges
- Becoming sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
- Becoming painful when eating certain foods
- Becoming sensitive to sweet and acidic foods
- Showing indentations on the surface
How to prevent tooth enamel loss
As soon as you notice any of these signs its time to start altering your oral care and prevent any further damage. A lot of the preventive measures include your diet.
- Limit the amount of acidic foods and drinks.
- Cut down on snacking. No matter what you eat, the acidity level in your mouth is elevated for a few hours after you finish eating.
- Drink more water and drink water frequently.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is found in many types of toothpaste although your dentist can prescribe it to you.
- Do not rinse your mouth out at night after brushing your teeth. This gives the fluoride time to work.
You cannot avoid tooth enamel loss but you can try to limit the amount of damage it does. If you have Invisalign braces it is vital that you either brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after eating or drinking acidic products. Failing to do this will expose your teeth to acid and cause tooth enamel loss.