Tooth enamel is a mineralized tissue that covers the outside of your teeth. It is the part of the teeth that we see, protecting the more sensitive parts within. Enamel itself has no nerves or vessels, so if you’re experience any sort of sensation in your teeth, something is getting through.
Though tooth enamel is very strong, stronger than bone in fact, it is not invincible.
There are a number of things that can wear down your enamel over time, including acidic foods, bacteria, and abrasions. It is very important that you keep your enamel protected. If damaged, it cannot regenerate.
Signs of Damaged Enamel
If your teeth are looking yellow, it’s possible they could be stained. But it could also mean that your enamel is wearing away. Beneath your enamel is a tissue called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellow, so as the enamel wears down, it starts to show through.
Dentin has tubules (small tubes or canals) running through it. When enamel wears down, heat, cold, and food can get through these tubules, causing unpleasant situations. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, it likely means your enamel has been damaged.
What can you do to make sure your enamel is taken care of?
Brushing Appropriately
Brushing is one of the best ways to protect your teeth. By brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, you can removes food particles, sugar, bacteria, and other things that can eventually start to wear on your enamel.
However, brushing can also cause harm to your teeth.
Brushing too often can cause extra wear on your enamel. Brushing too forcefully can cause damage to your teeth and gums as well. Make sure to be gentle and patient when brushing your teeth.
Watch What You Eat
Some foods are harder on your teeth than others. Specifically, highly acidic, sugary, and/or hard foods can cause direct damage to your enamel. Make sure to limit how much you consume of these items. Also, just as your mother might have told you, don’t chew on hard candy or ice.
Do Braces Harm Enamel?
While everyone knows that braces help to properly align teeth and correct bite issues, some worry that they can actually damage your enamel. This isn’t the case, however, as long as you choose a well-trained orthodontist and follow proper brushing techniques.
It is true that braces add more places where food can get stuck and bacteria can build up. Additionally, they act as a barrier between your teeth and your toothbrush. But with proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing, you have nothing to worry about.
Additionally, the brackets of braces can scratch the enamel if they are removed improperly. That is why you need to make sure you choose an experienced, reputable orthodontist. With more than 22 years of experience, our very own Dr. Dhingra is more than qualified to handle your orthodontic needs.
Proper orthodontic treatment can actually help protect your enamel from excessive wear by correcting your bite and stopping issues such as teeth grinding (bruxism).
If you’re in need of an orthodontist in Beavercreek, Springfield, and Bellefontaine, Ohio, contact us today!
