Protect Your Enamel
Your tooth’s enamel is made up of more than 95% mineral, specifically a calcium and it is the hardest tissue in the body. Although our enamel can thin with age without our control, there are many factors that contribute to it weakening that we CAN control. The following are ways our teeth enamel can be weakened and how to reverse it to protect our teeth.
If you’re not effectively removing all the plaque twice daily by brushing and flossing plaque will accumulate and has the potential to demineralize (weaken) the enamel. Brushing frequency can also play a role. Some people think if they brush more than a few times a day their teeth will benefit, but you should avoid over-brushing and always brush gently with a soft brush in a circular or up and down motion a couple teeth at a time. Scrub brushing or sawing back and forth can wear down your enamel over time and incidentally lead to gum recession with or without sensitivity.
The types of food and drink we consume can either damage our teeth’s enamel or help to strengthen it. Sugar from candy, sweets, carbohydrates, lead to the production of acids in the mouth which softens and eventually wears away enamel. Many soft drinks and sport drinks also have a high amount of sugar and contain citric acid and phosphoric acid which can cause damage. The acidic foods/drinks temporarily softens the enamel and makes teeth more susceptible to damage from brushing. For this reason if you eat sweets or citrus fruits it would be ideal to wait up to an hour before brushing to give the enamel time to re-harden (remineralize). Water is ultimately the best choice of drink and sweets should be eaten sparingly.
The frequency of eating is also a major factor in avoiding demineralization. Each time we eat the process of digestion begins first in our mouths. The food is broken down and the sugar combines with the bacteria in our mouths creating an acidic environment. This acid can lead to demineralization of teeth. It would be best if we ate three meals a day and avoided snacking.
Clenching and grinding (bruxism) can also damage enamel of teeth and restorations. Enamel can become very thin on the biting surface. Teeth can fracture and even break due to the heavy force of our bite. A night guard would be necessary to prevent further damage and the wearing away of the enamel.
Fortunately, there are several ways to remineralize and protect enamel. Eating and drinking calcium rich foods is beneficial. Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride rinse with an ADA (American Dental Association) seal is a great aid in the strengthening process. Xylitol is a natural occurring sweetener with many available products (gum, sprays, rinses, mints) which may also help to reduce the risk of tooth demineralization.