General Dentistry FAQs About Tooth Enamel

General dentistry can answer all your questions about tooth enamel. There are many misconceptions about what tooth enamel is and what it does. You may not realize how important this part of the tooth is. Understanding how your tooth enamel works is key to preserving healthy teeth for life. Here are some facts and common myths about tooth enamel and ways you can take care of this essential part of your teeth.

What is enamel?

Tooth enamel is mostly made up of calcium phosphate. It is the most mineralized part of the body. Enamel forms a translucent thin shell over the inner part of the tooth where the dentin and the nerve are. The color of tooth enamel can range from greyish to yellowish-white naturally. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, even harder than the bones. Although tooth enamel is harder than anything else in the human body, it is not indestructible.

The durability of tooth enamel

The thickness of tooth enamel can vary from one tooth to another and also from one person to another. However, it is still a thin shell on each tooth, so forceful impacts and excessive wear can damage the enamel. Teeth grinding is also very damaging to tooth enamel. When enamel chips, dentists can shape and contour it but will only do so if there is enough enamel to protect the inner part of the tooth. Enamel is not living tissue, so it cannot grow back. It is possible to remineralize tooth enamel.

What strengthens enamel

Although enamel cannot grow like other tissue in the body, some things can strengthen it. Saliva can protect enamel by washing over the teeth, helping to sweep away debris and food. It contains calcium, which helps to maintain the hardness of enamel. Acidic foods can damage enamel, but saliva can neutralize acidity. Eating calcium-rich foods can help maintain good tooth enamel. Crisp foods like celery, apples, and carrots are also beneficial to enamel health.

Protecting tooth enamel

In addition to eating calcium-rich and crispy, healthy foods, there are other ways people can protect tooth enamel. General dentistry recommends that people brush and floss at least twice daily. Brushing and flossing regularly helps to remove plaque, which will damage tooth enamel and eventually cause cavities. Dentists are a great partner in protecting tooth enamel. Even with diligent brushing and flossing, plaque can persist below the gumline and turn into tartar. General dentistry can perform deep cleaning in the office to remove the plaque and tartar buildup.