What Is Tooth Enamel and How Does It Erode?

In Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario

You probably already know that your teeth are covered by a thin layer of enamel that helps protect them. What you may not know is what enamel is made of and how to care for it and prevent decay. Keep reading and learn how to preserve your most valuable mineral deposit.

Tooth Enamel Composition

Tooth enamel is composed of 95-percent minerals, mainly calcium phosphate. The high mineral concentration of your tooth enamel makes it both hard and brittle. The thin layer of enamel coats the second layer of your teeth, a softer, tougher, yellowish material known as dentin. The stronger your tooth enamel is, the harder it will be and the more easily it will be able to resist not only the regular wear of chewing, but also the breakdown cause by bacteria.

Tooth Enamel Decay

Tooth enamel is lost to physical wear and chemical breakdown. The breakdown of enamel is largely caused by eating and drinking sugary foods, especially:

• Soda pop
• Candy
• Fruit juices

However the amount of sugar you eat is less important than how often you eat it. The more frequently you eat and drink products high in sugar, including high-fructose corn syrup, the more likely it is that your tooth enamel will suffer from bacterial breakdown.

Tooth enamel is also worn away physically by chewing and grinding against other teeth. Although some wear is inevitable, malocclusion and neuromuscular problems can cause your teeth to press against one another harder than they should, increasing wear on some teeth.

Tooth enamel decay can lead to more than just cavities. When tooth enamel begins to break down, the softer material underneath, called dentin, becomes susceptible to decay. Dentin is the last layer between your tooth pulp and the hot and cold foods that can cause severe tooth pain. But a cavity that is left untreated can develop into an abscess that is not only extremely painful, but can even lead to a widespread, fatal infection.

Prevention

Protecting your tooth enamel from decay is largely a question of preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria, including plaque and tartar. However, fluoride actually promotes healthy tooth enamel. Fluoride is a natural catalyst, encouraging bonding between the minerals in your tooth enamel to create a harder, more resilient tooth surface. Add to this brushing and flossing twice a day, a healthy diet, and regular professional dental cleanings and you can significantly reduce your risk of cavities. The best ways you can help promote the health of your tooth enamel is to promote good oral hygiene:

• Drink plenty of water to help rinse away debris and promote healthy teeth and gums
• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day
• Floss between all your teeth whenever you brush
• Use a fluoride mouthwash occasionally
• Schedule regular cleanings and checkups with the dentist
• Have damaged enamel repaired immediately, or protected with dental bonding or dental crowns

To learn more about tooth enamel or to schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist who can answer your questions, please contact Willow Dental Associates, serving the areas of Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario.