The better you are able to care for your dental enamel, the easier it will be for your smile to resist damage and decay in the future. That is why, today, our O’Fallon dentists are going to be walking you through some of the things that you can do to keep your enamel strong and resilient. Let’s get started!
As you may already know, your dental enamel is the outermost layer of your tooth. Dental enamel is less porous than the tooth layers that sit under it: dentin and dental pulp.
The goal, when caring for your dental enamel, is to protect it from bacteria, acidic substances, and damage.
· Brush your teeth as directed by your dentist to keep bacteria from infiltrating your enamel
· Floss your teeth once a day to clear bacteria from those tight spots in your smiles—these are key “weak points” where bacteria can break through your enamel
· Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking, and especially after consuming something acidic! Acidic substances thin dental enamel over time
· Drink plenty of water so that your body can produce plenty of saliva—saliva naturally re-mineralizes your enamel
· Wear a protective mouth guard if you are going to play a contact sport or engage in an extreme physical activity
· Stay alert for signs of dental bruxism—a condition characterized by chronic dental grinding and clenching. Bruxism puts intense pressure on your enamel, which may lead to your enamel thinning and developing micro cracks and chips over time. If you think that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, talk to your dentist about treatment options before it gets out of control
If you have more questions about caring for your dental enamel, our O’Fallon dentists are here to give you all of the information and guidance that you need. Give us a call to get started!