Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, and it works to protect them from decay and discoloration. Keeping your enamel intact is key to maintaining a beautiful smile throughout your life.
While enamel works to protect your teeth, it is also extremely fragile. There are at least five simple ways to protect your tooth enamel from erosion.
Add Calcium to Your Diet
Everyone knows that calcium helps make your bones stronger, but it also does the same thing for your teeth by enhancing tooth enamel.
While calcium supplements may eventually work, you need to eat food rich in the vitamin in order to get the best results.
Calcium can be found in a lot of foods, but it is most prevalent in milk, cheese and other dairy products.
No Sugary Drinks
Sugar is one of worst things for your tooth enamel because it creates acid after staying in your mouth for an extended period of time.
This acid will quickly start to soften and eat away at your tooth enamel. It is entirely possible to prevent this acid from forming with proper dental habits, but it is extremely easy to miss something no matter how much you brush.
If you must have a soda or another sugary drink, then you should use a straw so none of it comes in contact with your teeth.
Do Not Grind Your Teeth
Grinding your teeth is a tough habit to break, but you will end up losing all of your tooth enamel if you do not do something to stop.
Grinding the teeth together quickly wears down your enamel, which makes you much more susceptible to dental problems in the future.
Most teeth grinding occurs while you are sleeping, so getting a fitted mouth guard will protect your teeth at night.
Use Proper Brushing Techniques
While regularly brushing your teeth is key to maintaining your tooth enamel, you also have to make sure you are brushing the right way. Since enamel is so fragile, you can destroy it by brushing too hard or fast.
You should also be using a soft bristle toothbrush to avoid damaging your enamel. You will also want to avoid brushing for at least an hour after eating.
Acidic and sweet food soften enamel, so you need to wait for it to regain its hard structure before brushing.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
No matter how much you care for your teeth at home, you still need to schedule regular dental visits in order to keep your teeth strong.
Getting a checkup and cleaning every six months will make sure you did not miss anything at home. It is also the only way to see if there is any damage to your tooth enamel.
Treating the cause of your enamel damage in a timely manner will help preserve it before it is too late.
Serving the cities of Fort Walton Beach, Wright, Miramar Beach, Navarre, Valparaiso, Destin and Niceville, the office of Dr. Brodie Bowman is committed to helping patients smile brighter.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment to learn more about enamel care and its importance in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.
