What is tooth enamel?

(Tooth Enamel)

The hardest coating of the human body is the one that covers the outer part of the tooth. This part protects the outer part of the tooth known as dentin. Many cases can reduce the strength of tooth enamel or change the color of them and the teeth.

Strengthening and repairing tooth enamel helps improve and increase tooth health.

Function of enamel teeth

This hard tissue is placed on the outer part of the teeth and protects them. Daily activities like chewing, biting, and biting may damage your teeth, but enamel prevents these damages. Also, tooth enamel prevents chemical damage and damage caused by temperature changes.

Erosion of tooth enamel

It is true that tooth enamel is the strongest tissue in the body, but it is always subject to damage and erosion. This part of the tooth is usually compared to the bone, but in the bone due to injury or fracture, the spontaneous repair of the cells and its improvement can be observed, if this feature is not present in the tooth enamel. In fact, if your tooth enamel is damaged, it will not be repaired naturally and the improvement will not be seen due to the activity of the cells because this part is free of cells. There are many factors that can damage the enamel of your teeth.

Reasons of tooth enamel erosion

Erosion of tooth enamel occurs when the pH of the environment of the teeth is lower than its normal value and the environment becomes acidic. Several factors can cause this pH change, such as:

• Consumption of all kinds of soft drinks, including carbonated and energy drinks
• The return of stomach acid to the mouth as a result of reflux (stomach acid is very strong)
• Beverages containing some juices such as citrus fruits
• Consumption of too much sugar and starch
• High consumption of acidic substances such as vinegar or pickles
• Types of digestive problems that cause acidification of the oral environment.
• Consumption of some drugs such as aspirin
Dry mouth and lack of saliva Lack of tooth enamel strength due to genetic and hereditary problems
• In some cases, environmental factors such as grinding teeth or high wear of teeth due to stress and anxiety can reduce the strength of tooth enamel.

Symptoms of erosion

Symptoms of this problem can be different depending on the severity of erosion, but in general, the presence of a series of symptoms indicate tooth enamel erosion. If you feel pain in your teeth while consuming sweet foods such as chocolate or sweets, you are prone to tooth enamel damage. Also, sensitivity to cold or hot materials can also indicate the early stages of erosion.

If you notice that the color of your teeth has changed a little, it can be considered as a sign of wear and tear. Other symptoms include cracking or roughening of the edges of the teeth. Also, the depressions that are created on the surface of the teeth can be caused by the erosion of tooth enamel.

Effects of erosion

Erosion of tooth enamel can cause many problems for you if it is not treated. This erosion can cause the loss of a large part of your teeth and force you to use complex and long-term dental treatments to improve it. If the erosion continues, your teeth will rot and this decay will cause bacteria to enter and cause various infections in the inner part of the teeth. It can also cause extreme sensitivities to cold and heat, yellowing and staining of teeth, broken teeth and cavities. These complications have different treatment methods depending on the duration of erosion and its progress.

Erosion of tooth enamel

Using tooth-colored restorative materials

Banding method is used for people whose enamel is partially damaged or completely lost. In this method, the doctor first shaves the part of the tooth that needs treatment, then covers the damaged part with resin of the same color as the tooth. In this method, the doctor can make a mold of your tooth for the accuracy of the work, so that the restorative material covers your tooth correctly.

· Using dental veneers

Using a dental crown is another method used to cover a damaged tooth. In this method, the doctor first prepares your tooth and then prepares a digital mold of your tooth with an intraoral scanner. After the permanent veneer is ready, they place it on the tooth.

If you see signs of tooth enamel erosion, it is better to see a dentist as soon as possible. Always remember that prevention is better than cure.

Ways to strengthen tooth enamel

To increase the strength of the tooth enamel and improve the health of the teeth, you can strengthen your tooth enamel by following a few tips. Here we introduce the best ways to strengthen tooth enamel. At first, it is better to know the factors of enamel erosion and its symptoms so that you can act in the best way when necessary.

· Using toothpaste containing fluoride

Fluoride can stop partial caries and restore tooth enamel. Using toothpaste containing fluoride increases the resistance of teeth to acidic substances. It is better to go to pharmacies to prepare this toothpaste or ask your doctor to prescribe it for you.

· Brush.

Brushing is the simplest and most convenient method that can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Continuous brushing destroys bacteria that contribute to dental plaque and decay.

· Have a moderate diet.

Using too much sugar and sweet foods can cause decay and damage to tooth enamel. By following a balanced diet and consuming enough of these substances, you can avoid these problems. You can also use the fruits themselves instead of juice as much as possible. Remember, it is better to brush your teeth after consuming sugary foods such as sweets.

· Use mouthwash.

Using mouthwashes destroys bacteria in the mouth and protects your teeth from decay and damage. You can use fluoride mouthwashes for better protection and strengthen your tooth enamel. Of course, excessive use of mouthwash is not recommended because, in addition to yellowing of the teeth, it also causes the growth of oral fungus.

· Take the minerals your teeth need.

Deficiency of minerals in the body brings many problems, so it is necessary to always keep the amount of these substances in the body in sufficient quantity. Taking vitamin D and calcium in case of deficiency can help to increase the strength of your tooth enamel. Also, eating healthy fats such as coconut oil can also be useful for strengthening tooth enamel.

· Drink plenty of water.

Drinking plenty of water dilutes the acid caused by food in the mouth, and if the environment in your mouth is already acidic, it reduces the intensity of the acid. It also helps to get rid of harmful bacteria that cause decay. Drinking water also helps to create saliva and prevents dry mouth.

· Avoid soft drinks

Drinks can be extremely harmful to your tooth enamel due to their high sugar content. Also, carbonated soft drinks can create acidity in saliva and reduce the pH of the mouth and damage the tooth enamel. By avoiding the consumption of soft drinks, you will improve the health of your teeth and you will be safe from other harmful effects of these substances on your body.

· Avoid smoking.

Tobacco substances, due to the presence of nicotine in their compounds, cause blood circulation disorders in the gums and teeth and disrupt the supply of food and oxygen to the teeth. This situation weakens the tooth enamel and will also cause stains on the teeth and their yellowing. In addition, these substances destroy the beneficial bacteria in the mouth and are harmful to a person's health.

· Treat grinding teeth.

Teeth grinding and teeth grinding due to stress can severely damage your tooth enamel. Due to the pressure on the teeth over time, this problem causes the loss of tooth enamel and makes the teeth vulnerable. Be sure to see a doctor to treat these disorders.

· Cure your digestive problems.

Digestive problems such as reflux can cause acidification of the oral environment and thus damage the tooth enamel. In this situation, it is very important to treat such problems as soon as possible because stomach acid is very strong and can seriously damage your teeth.

· Take going to the dentist seriously. Dr. Nabagh is the best dentist in Sohravardi.

Continuously checking your teeth is very important to prevent tooth decay and loss of enamel. It is necessary to go to the dentist at least once every 6 months to fix decay and damage to the tooth enamel. If you procrastinate and avoid going to the office, the decay may progress quickly and cause a lot of damage to your tooth enamel.