Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the important job of shielding teeth from constant use and the continual assault of chemicals in food and drink. Enamel also safeguards tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity.
Cuts heal. Bruises fade. Broken bones mend. The body’s ability to heal itself is truly incredible. But tooth enamel is different. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
The team at The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry encourages our patients to safeguard their tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental health.
This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is better NOT to brush immediately after eating. Specifically, after eating acidic items. The acid weakens the enamel which can be further weakened by brushing. Waiting 60 minutes will allow the acid to dilute. Rinsing immediately after eating acidic foods is beneficial, however, because it washes away some food particles and speeds up the dilution of the acid.
Some people don’t realize that dry mouth can cause or exacerbate enamel erosion. The calcium and phosphate in saliva protect your enamel. When there is little saliva, the enamel is left exposed. Chewing stimulates saliva production but constant snacking is not the answer for dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water regularly can stimulate saliva production between meals without increasing the risk of or upping your calorie intake.
Furthermore, tooth grinding wears enamel away. If you are one of the many Fort Collins residents who grind their teeth at night, it’s important to get a mouthguard promptly. People who grind their teeth are at a high risk for enamel erosion and the tooth decay that can follow. Athletes should also protect their teeth on the playing field with a mouthguard. For more details, speak with Doctor Allison Lesko at The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry about custom mouthguards.
If you sip soda, tea, or coffee all day, we suggest you switch to water to halt any enamel erosion that has already transpired. It may be a hard change to make – but if you are successful – your teeth will thank you for it.
Using teeth as tools can damage enamel, as well. Take a moment to fetch scissors before tearing a package or ripping duct tape with your teeth. Do you really want to take a chance on chipping a tooth just to open a package of lunchmeat?
Chewing ice and hard candy can also damage enamel. If you simply must have sugar, soft candy is best as long as it is not left to sit on your teeth for a long period of time. If your molars are packed with gummy candy, it can bring about cavities that erode enamel just as effectively as chipping it with hard candy. Many of the old-school hard candies we enjoyed as kids now come in soft versions. Enjoy them sparingly because constant sugar is bad for teeth. Period.
If you have already experienced enamel erosion or other dental problems, Doctor Allison Lesko can help you safeguard what is left. To schedule a comprehensive examination, contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry.
Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:
970-221-5115
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526
Have you ever been eating an ice cream cone when you encountered a sudden zap of pain in one of your teeth? If the enamel has eroded, or the gums have receded, the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. The substances that cause tooth pain travel to the pulp where the nerves of the tooth are located. Ouch!
Each separate restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedure performed at The Fort Collins Dentist in Loveland can address a specific dental problem. For example, a porcelain veneer can correct the surface of a tooth that is discolored or slightly misshapen. Dental bonding can fill a small chip in an otherwise healthy tooth.
