Dental enamel is the outermost layer of your tooth; it’s hard and fairly non-porous, so it stands up to the wear and tear of daily life. While enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. Today our O’Fallon dentists are sharing more information about 3 of the main threats to strong and healthy dental enamel. Keep reading to learn more…
Bacteria
When we consider threats to oral health, we often think of cavities and periodontal disease, both of which are caused by harmful oral bacteria. Bacteria are always present in our mouths, however, when they are able infiltrate our dental enamel or gum tissue, we end up with pretty serious oral health issues. This is why it’s so important to take steps, like brushing and flossing, to clear away bacteria every single day.
Acid
Did you know that dental enamel becomes temporarily softer and weaker when it comes into contact with something acidic? This means that when we enjoy something like a soft drink or fruit juice, we need to wait for our enamel to remineralize before we brush our teeth (this generally takes about twenty to thirty minutes). Additionally, oral bacteria release acids as they grow and multiply, so minimizing bacterial levels also protects enamel.
Accidents
If you participate in extreme or contact sports, we strongly encourage you to wear a customized mouthguard to protect your smile. You should also try to minimize potentially damaging habits and behaviors, like chewing on ice or hard candies.
Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you make an oral hygiene plan that safeguards your smile today, and well into the future. If you have any more questions about enamel health, or preventive dentistry in general, please give us a call!