In order to effectively protect your teeth, you first need to understand how your teeth are structured. Once you know how each part of your tooth works, you can take steps to protect and preserve the natural strength of your smile.
In this article our Elmhurst dentists will be telling you all about dental enamel, You’ll learn what it does, why it is important, and how you can care for it.
The dental enamel is the outermost shell of the tooth. Take a look at your teeth in the mirror. When you look at your individual teeth, you probably notice that they look white and somewhat shiny. What you are seeing when you look in the mirror is your dental enamel.
Dental enamel is generally hard, strong, and pretty non-porous. Although healthy enamel has the properties, as dental enamel weakens (due to injury, acid erosion, and infection). When enamel starts to thin or weaken, your entire tooth—including the inner layers that lay underneath the enamel—are susceptible to damage.
Consequently, one of the key goals of preventive dental care is to keep your enamel as strong and healthy as possible. To do this:
· Limit plaque and tartar accumulation—clean your teeth at home and complete regularly scheduled professional cleanings. And avoid sugary foods, which help bacteria grow.
· Wear protective dental gear when engaging in contact sports or activities.
· Look out for signs of bruxism—characterized by dental grinding and clenching—since this condition thins enamel.
Our Elmhurst dentists are here to help you devise an optimal dental hygiene plan to protect your smile. We’ll figure out what you need to do at home in order to care for your smile, and how often you should be coming in for professional cleanings.
Call our office, or contact us through our website, in order to get started right away!