Protecting Your Tooth Enamel

Healthy enamel is essential to help ensure strong, functional teeth

To some people, it may seem that a tooth is simply a solid block of material. Whilst it may appear like this on the surface, it is far more complex than that and comprises a number of structures which include not only the tooth enamel but also a softer layer below that, along with the roots of the tooth which contain a soft pulp material that includes very tiny blood vessels and the nerves.

Within the dentin layer of the tooth, which lies below the enamel, also lie tubules which are responsible for passing on information on the sensations experienced in your teeth. This is important as it prevents us from putting too much pressure on our teeth when we bite.

While all parts of the tooth can be subject to problems, the most effective way to prevent these is to make sure that the outer layer of the tooth; the enamel, is strong and uncompromised. Providing it remains that way, other problems can usually also be avoided. To help our patients with that, your local Ipswich dentists have put a guide together to help you maintain healthy and strong tooth enamel.

Brushing your teeth

This is the most obvious and perhaps the most important thing that you can do to protect the tooth enamel. It is not just brushing though but brushing correctly that will help to protect them. You should always use a brush with bristles no more than three months old and make sure that you brush for two minutes twice a day, with nothing consumed (except water) after your night time brushing. Make sure that you don’t brush too hard or this will have a detrimental effect by wearing the enamel down. Also check that your toothpaste contains fluoride as this will help to strengthen the enamel and help to prevent damage.

Use floss

It is relatively rare for tooth decay to start to occur in a visible area of the tooth and most decay starts in those cracks and crevices where we perhaps can’t reach so easily with our toothbrush. In many cases, this will be in between our teeth. Because the bristles of a brush can’t reach in there so well, it makes it easier for food particles and bacteria to collect and start to destroy the enamel. While there are simple things that can be done to help with this, such as swilling the mouth with water after eating to remove some of the debris, the best way to effectively remove them is to use dental floss. We encourage you to do this and not to be put off by its perceived difficulty. If you do struggle to use it, please ask the dentist or oral care hygienist at the Foxhall Dental Practice. They will be happy to show you how to use it correctly.

Acidic food and drinks

Acidic food and drinks have always presented a problem to our tooth enamel but the sad reality is that these are more widely available than ever before. The prevalence of ‘energy’ and ‘sports’ drinks that are loaded with sugar and acidic ingredients are a ticking time bomb for our teeth. Younger people especially are at risk here and we urge you to avoid these drinks as much as possible. The occasional one may not cause too much harm but regular consumption could well lead to enamel erosion which can cause not only highly sensitive teeth but also make your teeth vulnerable to a lot more problems which we will look at shortly. Remember that the best drink that you can consume is water and it is best to avoid any fizzy or ‘sports’ drinks as much as you possibly can.

Water

As mentioned in the previous section, water is your friend. In addition to it being essential for life, it can really help you to keep your oral health in good condition. It is excellent for hydration in place of tooth damaging drinks, but also helps you to remain well hydrated. Failure to keep hydrated can lead to a dry mouth. This is problematic not only because it means that saliva isn’t produced to wash food particles and bacteria away but also because bacteria thrive in a warm and dry environment and if you allow this to occur, the chances of suffering from gum disease are significantly increased.

When your enamel becomes compromised

So what can go wrong if the enamel on your teeth becomes eroded or damaged? Apart from eroded teeth having rough surfaces that help staining products to attach to them, there are a number of issues that can even cause you to lose your teeth.

Tooth decay

The most obvious one and many of you will probably have already had a tooth filled because of this. Although many people avoid all but the smallest of fillings, others can have extensive decay and may require deep fillings, crowns or even extraction where the prognosis for the tooth is too poor.

Sensitive teeth

Eroded enamel exposes the inner part of the tooth to sensations of hot and cold; often very painfully so. In some cases this may require treatments such as the fitting of porcelain veneers to restore the tooth, but prevention is certainly a better option.

Root canal infection

If the enamel is damaged, not only can regular tooth decay occur, but if the bacteria reaches the roots of the tooth, you will almost certainly require a root canal procedure to treat it. Although this is not a procedure to be feared, as so many patients seem to do, it is certainly best avoided as the nerves are removed during the treatment and you will be left with a ‘dead’ tooth. Although this will help to preserve the tooth, it will have no sensation and care will need to be taken to avoid exerting too much pressure when chewing your food.

Finally, of course, you will need to maintain regular visits to our Ipswich dental practice for regular check ups and we strongly recommend hygienist appointments too. These, combined with following the guidance above, should help you to retain strong and healthy  tooth enamel. To book an appointment at the Foxhall Dental Practice or for further advice, you can contact us on 01473 258396.