Getting To Know Your Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is one of the four major tissues that make up teeth. Enamel is the hard outer surface that protects the underlying layers. It is also the hardest and most mineralized substance in your body.

Ninety-six percent of tooth enamel is composed of minerals, while the remaining percentage consists of water and organic material. The main mineral in enamel is hydroxylapatite which is also known as crystalline calcium phosphate.

The Role of Tooth Enamel

The main role of tooth enamel is to protect the soft layer of dentin. Enamel also serves as a hard surface for chewing, grinding, and crushing food.

Enamel is semi-translucent and porous. Eating dark foods and drinking dark beverages, such as red wines, coffee, or soda, can cause the enamel to discolor and stain. Smoking, age, and certain medications also cause tooth stains. A beautiful smile is a white smile, so if your teeth are stained, consider professional, safe teeth whitening prescribed by Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans.

Enamel Erosion

Even though enamel is the hardest substance in your body, it is susceptible to damage. The food you eat contains sugars and starches, and when these components mix with saliva, they form acid. The acid extracts minerals from tooth enamel, weakening it. Then bacteria invade and cause decay, or cavities. Acidic foods, like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and carbonated beverages, also erode tooth enamel. Your tooth enamel doesn’t remain soft forever. Saliva will remineralize and re-harden the enamel within 30 minutes to an hour after you stop eating and drinking.

Save Your Tooth Enamel

You can prevent enamel erosion drinking plenty of water throughout the day and with meals. Also, limit your consumption of acidic foods, starches, and sugars. When you snack or drink during the day, do so in a short time period. Grazing on snacks and beverages only extends the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugars, starches, and acids.

We’ve stated that demineralization is the factor that leads to vulnerable tooth enamel. To reduce your proclivity for demineralization, use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, drink fluoridated tap water, and allow us to deliver topical fluoride to your teeth at dental cleanings. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that, in moderate doses, attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel.

One more tip, if you chew gum, chew sugar-free gum with xylitol, a sweetener that has dental health benefits. Stay away from hard candies and sugary gum.

Call Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans today by calling 775-829-7700 or visit our website at www.wagerevans.com to schedule a cleaning today at our Reno, Nevada dental office.