Tooth enamel plays a big part in the overall health of your teeth. If you're interested in having the strongest teeth possible, you should consider the health of your tooth enamel. Thankfully, even if your tooth enamel isn't in the best shape, there are some steps you can take to improve it. Read on to learn more about tooth enamel and the ways that it can be strengthened once damaged.
The Importance of Strong Enamel
Enamel is the hard shell on the outside of every tooth. It's what makes your teeth look white, but it's also what protects the interior of your tooth from serious risks. Without enamel, the pulp and root of your teeth would be exposed to the bacteria, acids, and cold and hot food and drink you consume. Damaging your teeth is easy when you don't have very strong enamel, and to make matters worse, it can also put you in a great deal of pain. This is because the nerves of your teeth are closer to the surface, and those nerves are what send signals to your brain.
Fluoride
When it comes to keeping your enamel strong or making it strong again, one of the best things you can do is to focus on fluoride. Fluoride is found in most tooth care products, like toothpaste, and certain mouthwashes. However, it's also included in the tap water in most states across the country. If you're not currently drinking tap water, it's a good idea to start. The more fluoride you consume, the stronger your tooth enamel will be. This is especially important for young people whose teeth are still developing.
Remineralization
When tooth enamel is too far gone for fluoride to help, it's not necessarily too late. Dentists can now perform a procedure called remineralization that can revive even the most damaged tooth enamel.
This process forcibly introduces new minerals back into the tooth enamel, including fluoride, which helps to thicken and harden the enamel again. This will restore the tooth enamel's function and help to protect the inside of the tooth once again.
You probably don't spend much time thinking about your tooth enamel, but it's constantly at work keeping your teeth healthy. Without tooth enamel, you could risk losing your teeth and experiencing a great deal of pain. Talk to a dentist about tooth bonding during your next visit and to find out if your tooth enamel is healthy, and if not, whether remineralization is right for you.
Share27 October 2017
