What's the strongest part of your body? It's actually your teeth enamel!
Our teeth are surprisingly complicated structures, with multiple layers, evolved over the course of millions of years to stand up to a lifetime of biting and chewing. A big part of this is the development of the super-strong enamel that covers the outside of our teeth. Without that enamel, your teeth could never last through your life - and if it gets damaged, your teeth will start having a lot of problems!
The Importance Of Your Tooth Enamel
The tooth is made up of several different parts.
At the very center of a tooth is the pulp, a soft fleshy mass which contains nerves and blood vessels. This is extremely vulnerable, and painful if it ever gets exposed - that's why cavities hurt so much.
So, the pulp is surrounded by a substance called dentin, which is the main part of the tooth. Dentin is hard, but it's not that hard. It needs extra help standing up to all the abuse the tooth undergoes.
That's where the enamel comes in. This is the very outer layer of your tooth, designed specifically to protect everything inside the tooth. Beyond being extremely strong and resistant to damage, it also provides shielding against hot and cold, allowing us to eat a wider variety of foods without pain.
Should any damage occur to the enamel, such as being cracked or having exposed cavities, it becomes easy for food, sugars, and microorganisms to make their way into the vulnerable inner areas. That's how tooth disease and decay set in.
Protecting Your Teeth Enamel
You can help protect the enamel on your teeth, and reduce the damage done by everyday use. In particular:
Regular brushing. Brushing regularly removes sugars and microorganisms which otherwise stick to your teeth and eat their way through the enamel.
Regular flossing. Flossing gets in between teeth, where a standard toothbrush can't reach. Otherwise, decay can set in from the sides.
Avoiding acidic foods/drinks. Citrus juices, coffee, vinegar, and tomatoes - for example - are delicious on occasion, but the acid in them can wear down enamel, and also stain your teeth!
Avoiding sugary snacks. Sugar will break down your enamel faster than anything else. Always brush after a sugary snack to reduce the damage done.
Plus, of course, regular visits to the dentist! If it's been more than a year since your last checkup, schedule an appointment with Plainsboro Dental Care, 609-799-4422.