5 WAYS to keep your TOOTH ENAMEL STRONG

Tooth enamel is the toughest and most highly mineralized substance in your body. It is also one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in human beings and several other animals. Although it might have a reputation of being the toughest, it is still prone to certain problems like decay, chip offs and destruction. Hence, it’s important to take care and preserve it.

Let’s learn about 5 ways to keep your tooth enamel strong:

Limit the quantity of sugary foods: Tooth enamel suffers the most common problem i.e. tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by certain bacteria in the mouth which use sugar from the food and drinks we consume. They ultimately lead to the breakdown of enamel. Drinks are flavored with artificial sweeteners and they are acidic in nature and hence will wear down your enamel over a prolonged period of consumption.

Rinsing: It is very important to rinse after having a meal and especially after having an acidic meal/drink. For example, certain fruit juices contain citric acid. Sodas have high levels of acid and are harmful to the teeth enamel. However, it’s not just the acid that’s the problem but the duration for which your teeth enamel has been exposed. Limiting the number of such drinks can be helpful and in case you plan on having them occasionally, using a straw limits the exposure to the tooth enamel.

Brushing Gently: Brushing your teeth twice a day keeps the bacteria at bay, your teeth free of stains and helps maintain a fresh breath. However, brushing your teeth too hard or vigorously can have adverse effects on your tooth enamel. This is also known as ‘toothbrush abrasion’. A rule of thumb: If your gum and teeth hurt post brushing then you’re over doing it.

Breaking the habit: The sole purpose of your enamel is to break down food and not rock hard items. Chewing pencil tops, biting off nails, cutting threads or other items doesn’t help. Your enamel is tough but is also a little brittle at the same time; thereby increasing the chances of enamel fractures and chip offs. Remember, your teeth are precious and they are only meant for biting and chewing food!

Calcium consumption: The enamel coating is mainly composed of calcium and phosphorous and hence it goes without saying that our diet should consist of adequate calcium. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth’s enamel layer when acids formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth — attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and water consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to decay. Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc., are rich sources of calcium while tofu, fish, meats, dried fruits, etc. are rich in phosphorus.
At The Dental Spa, we use fluoride therapy which involves the application of a thin coat of fluoride either in the form if a varnish or gel, which allows and facilitates the remineralization of demineralized enamel, thus fortifying the tooth.

Book an appointment today to check your oral health. Call now on 022-64524197 or mail us at info@dentalspa.in