Enamel: Protect It for Better Dental Health!

Do you know what enamel is and why it's important? Enamel is critical to your dental health - which means it's important to your overall health too! Access Dental and Dentures is here for you and we are ready to help you learn how to take care of and protect your teeth. Keep reading to learn all about enamel and what you can do to keep it healthy!

What is enamel?

Enamel is the protective layer on the outside of your teeth. It is very hard and clear. The color of your teeth actually comes from a different layer under the enamel, called dentin. Because enamel is clear, so it can be hard for someone without dental training to tell if there is any damage or early decay. That is one of the reasons it is important to regularly visit your local dentist, so they can catch problems early before cavities start.

How does enamel protect teeth?

The layer of your tooth underneath the enamel is made up of a more sensitive material called dentin. When dentin gets exposed to open air and bacteria, it can cause tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, cavities, and even more serious conditions. Enamel protects this more sensitive inner layer from damage and decay, so it's important to keep it healthy.

What damages enamel?

Even though enamel is the hardest material in the human body, certain things can start to erode the enamel as they sit on your teeth. The biggest problem can often be acidic items like carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and coffee. Other huge issues can be sugary substances and starchy foods, both of which stick to teeth easily and can cause damage if not brushed, flossed, and rinsed away. Bacteria from plaque buildup can also cause erosion of the enamel.

Once enamel is gone, can it heal?

While many parts of our bodies can heal, tooth enamel is not one of those things. Enamel isn't made up of living cells, so it can't replicate and heal spots that have been cracked, worn down, or damaged. In short, no. Once enamel is gone, it is permanent. This is why it is important to help keep your enamel strong by regularly taking care of your teeth and using toothpastes and mouth washes that deposit strengthening minerals to the surface of your teeth.

What Can I Do?

Help take care of your enamel by following these tips...

• Limit the amount of sugar and starch in your diet
• Avoid overly acidic foods and drinks
• Brush your teeth or use mouthwash or water to rinse away damaging foods and drinks
• Use oral health products that strengthen your teeth
• Regularly visit your dentist to check your enamel and remove damaging plaque!

Best Dentist in Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri and we are here to help you protect your enamel and prevent damage from permanently affecting your teeth. Whether you just need a checkup and your annual cleanings or you need special attention for a dental issue, we are here for you! Give us a call or check out our website to learn about the services we offer to help improve your dental health. 1-877-DENTIST

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Everything There is to Know About Tooth Enamel

Dental hygiene is an important part of overall health. Most people know that brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing are good habits to have in order to keep your mouth health and happy. But, do you know why it's important, or how your teeth are constructed and protected? Access Dental is the best dentist in southern Missouri because we care about your oral health and helping you have a better dental care routine. Keep reading to learn today's important health tips about tooth enamel, what it is, and how to take care of it.

What is enamel?

Enamel is the protective layer on the outside of your teeth. It is very hard and clear. The color of your teeth actually comes from a different layer under the enamel, called dentin. Because enamel is clear, so it can be hard for someone without dental training to tell if there is any damage or early decay. That is one of the reasons it is important to regularly visit your local dentist, so they can catch problems early before cavities start.

Once enamel is gone, can it heal?

While many parts of our bodies can heal, tooth enamel is not one of those things. Enamel isn't made up of living cells, so it can't replicate and heal spots that have been cracked, worn down, or damaged. In short, no. Once enamel is gone, it is permanent. This is why it is important to help keep your enamel strong by regularly taking care of your teeth and using toothpastes and mouth washes that deposit strengthening minerals to the surface of your teeth.

What damages enamel?

Even though enamel is the hardest material in the human body, certain things can start to erode the enamel as they sit on your teeth. The biggest problem can often be acidic items like carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and coffee. Other huge issues can be sugary substances and starchy foods, both of which stick to teeth easily and can cause damage if not brushed, flossed, and rinsed away. Bacteria from plaque buildup can also cause erosion of the enamel.

How does enamel protect teeth?

The layer of your tooth underneath the enamel is made up of a more sensitive material called dentin. When dentin gets exposed to open air and bacteria, it can cause tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, cavities, and even more serious conditions. Enamel protects this more sensitive inner layer from damage and decay, so it's important to keep it healthy.

Be proactive and protect your enamel

Help take care of your enamel by following these tips...

• Limit the amount of sugar and starch in your diet
• Avoid overly acidic foods and drinks
• Brush your teeth or use mouthwash or water to rinse away damaging foods and drinks
• Use oral health products that strengthen your teeth
• Regularly visit your dentist to check your enamel and remove damaging plaque!

As the best dentist in southern Missouri, Access Dental is here to help you with all your dental health needs. We care about your dental health because we know how much it can affect your overall health and well being. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment to make sure your dental health is in the best shape possible!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

FAQs About Enamel

Protecting your oral health is very important. You can help do this by brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing daily, and regularly visiting the dentist. Access Dental and Dentures has a few other facts and tips that could help you take better care of your teeth. Today we are discussing enamel - what it is, how it protects your teeth, what can damage your enamel, and what happens when it’s gone.

What is enamel?

Enamel is the hard, protective layer on the outside of your teeth. The color of your teeth actually comes from a different layer of your teeth called dentin. Enamel is translucent, so it can be difficult to tell with the naked eye if it has been damaged.

How does enamel protect teeth?

The layer beneath your enamel is composed of a more sensitive material called dentin. When dentin is exposed to open air and bacteria, it can cause tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, cavities, and more. Enamel is a “forcefield” so-to-speak that protects this more sensitive inner layer from damage and decay.

What damages enamel?

Even though enamel is the hardest material in the human body, certain substances can start to erode the enamel as they sit on your teeth. The primary offenders are acidic compounds (carbonated drinks, fruit juices, coffee), sugary substances, and starchy foods. Bacteria from plaque buildup can also cause erosion of the enamel.

Once enamel is gone, can it heal?

In short, no. Once enamel is gone, it is permanent. Enamel doesn’t have any living cells to be able to regenerate like the other bones in our bodies.

However, if your enamel is simply weakened, there are ways to help strengthen it. Certain kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes can help by depositing strengthening minerals to the surface of the tooth, bonding to supporting the enamel.

Be proactive and protect your enamel

Help take care of your enamel by following these tips:
Limit the amount of sugary and starchy foods you consume.
Avoid overly acidic foods and drinks.
(If you do consume an enamel-weakening substance, rinse your mouth out with water and give them a quick brush or swish of mouthwash if possible.)
Use oral health products that strengthen the integrity of your teeth.
Regularly visit your dentist to check the health of your enamel and remove damaging plaque.

AccessDental is the best Springfield area dentist. We are passionate about the health of your teeth and can help advise you on how to improve your personal oral health. Call today to schedule your appointment!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn