According to Statistics Canada, a cavity affects 59 per cent of 12- to 19-year-olds. Despite the fact that cavities are highly preventable, 96 per cent of adults have had them, and 6% of adult Canadians have lost all of their natural teeth.
The enamel is the protective outer coating of your teeth that keeps them white and protects them from decay. The enamel protects your teeth and keeps them shining for as long as possible. It is stronger than bone, and is one of the body’s most vital and toughest mineral compounds.
While this is true, it does not make the enamel immune to dental health risks.
While the enamel protects you, this does not stop you from maintaining good oral hygiene. This is because there are numerous strategies to improve your enamel in order to keep your teeth healthy and shiny.
Here are seven tips for protecting your enamel.
1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly
A thin layer of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth on any given day. Plaque produces acid that destroys your enamel and can cause cavities. Therefore, you must brush your teeth regularly to reduce plaque accumulation.
Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. This will help to remove food remains and plaque.
Consider your diet before deciding the time to brush. For instance, after taking acidic food, don’t brush your teeth right away; this can weaken the enamel.
2. Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
You might have heard that consuming a lot of sugar can result in cavities and tooth decay. But have you ever wondered how sugar causes teeth to rot?
Well, several things happen after enjoying sugary food or drinks.
First, the sugar you consume begins by interacting with plaque bacteria to produce acid. The acid will then slowly dissolve the enamel, resulting in cavities.
However, you can lower sugar intake in your diet to minimize enamel damage. Instead of ingesting almost 100 grams of sugar each day, you can strive for no more than 48 grams.
Some of the sugary drinks you should avoid include yoghurt, smoothies, carbonated soft drinks, oatmeal, and trail mix. Most of these drinks are loaded with sugar, phosphoric, and citric acid, which wears enamel.
3. Limit Acidic Drinks
Acidic foods and drinks have been found to wear down the enamel; the barrier used to protect teeth.
With time, acidic foods and drinks will weaken the enamel and leave it vulnerable to damage and erosion. The damage can be severe in the long run and can lead to tooth decay or even tooth loss.
Some of the products you should avoid include citrus juice, carbonated beverages, coffee, tomatoes, and sour candies, among others, if you want to safeguard the long-term health of your enamel.
Avoiding some drinks is impractical for most people; however, you can take some precautions to prevent enamel damage. For instance, use a straw when taking acidic drinks, rinse your mouth after a meal, and avoid brushing your teeth after consuming acidic beverages.
4. Get a Night Teeth Guard
Do you have the habit of grinding your teeth while asleep?
Well, teeth grinding or bruxism can lead to teeth enamel getting damaged. Other tooth parts like dentin and pulp chamber layers are exposed if your enamel is damaged. Then you will start to experience consistent toothaches once food, saliva, or bacteria touch the area.
However, wearing a night guard can significantly reduce the chances of teeth grinding against each other. It will absorb the massive force generated by the jaw, and instead of the enamel wearing, the guard wears out instead.
5. Keep Your Mouth Hydrated
Drinking water is not just for quenching thirst; it is also essential for your enamel health. But how does water protect your enamel?
Saliva contains 95 per cent water. Thus, keeping your mouth dry is not suitable for your dental health. Saliva is essential for teeth cleaning and for maintaining oral health.
Since saliva has a PH between 6.2 to 7.6, it keeps your mouth neutral, reducing enamel wear. Drink four to six glasses of water daily; incorporate a water-rich diet like vegetables and fruits.
Additionally, avoid substances that dry your mouth, such as alcoholic drinks.
6. Consume Plenty of Fruits, Veggies, and Dairy Products
The health of your teeth also depends on the food you eat. Some of the foods that are good for your teeth protection include:
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies are foods rich in fibre that help keep your teeth clean; this ensures that the saliva keeps flowing. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate that restore minerals lost from your teeth and thus prevent enamel erosion.
Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and plain yoghurt also help in saliva production. They contain calcium and phosphate that restore minerals lost by your teeth and thus help rebuild teeth’ enamel.
You can also consider eating food rich in fluorides, such as powdered juices, seafood, poultry products, and cereals. They can help your teeth’ enamel to resist acid.
7. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Finally, visiting a dental clinic in North York enables early detection of enamel erosion.
The dentist can then recommend ways you can minimize erosion. For instance, prescription toothpaste or fluoride varnish can be used to protect vulnerable teeth.
Protect Your Enamel From Damage
You need to protect your enamel from all elements that may erode it and make it thinner with time. Failure to do so will leave your teeth vulnerable to decay or infection.
Are you looking for dental care services in North York?
At Dentalx Dental Clinic, we offer dental treatment options that include teeth whitening, teeth cleaning, root canal treatment, and wisdom teeth extraction. We also focus on enamel protection as well as maintenance.
Contact us today to book an appointment.