Tooth Enamel: How it Works and Care Tips

When you smile in the mirror to examine your teeth, you are looking at the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel. The tooth enamel is crucial to the health of your teeth and gums because it protects the softer, more vulnerable parts of the tooth underneath. While the enamel is by far the toughest layer of the tooth, it can still be damaged by poor oral hygiene or trauma.

To get the most out of your teeth, you must know how to strengthen your tooth enamel so your mouth can stay healthy and your teeth can last as long as possible. If you already have tooth enamel erosion, learning how to rebuild your tooth enamel naturally can help get your oral health back on track.

Are you wondering what is tooth enamel made of? Enamel mostly comprises hydroxyapatite, which is a mineral component and source of phosphate and calcium in the teeth.

While the enamel only covers the crown of the tooth, it is a vital part of your mouth's health. Without this crucial thin layer of protection, teeth would be easily damaged and look different.

The enamel’s number one job is protection. To understand the importance of what the enamel does for the rest of the tooth, it is helpful to know what lies beneath it.

The tooth is made up of layers.

The dental pulp is at the center of the tooth and contains nerves, connective tissue, blood vessels, and other cells. If you ever have tooth pain, it is because this inner layer of the tooth is either inflamed or exposed.

A soft layer called dentin surrounds the dental pulp. This layer supports the outer layer of enamel while also absorbing the pressure from chewing by cushioning the dental pulp.

Enamel wraps around the entire tooth crown as the strongest and final layer. Keeping your enamel in good shape means preventing damage to the inner layers that could cause you much pain in your mouth.

The dentin layer is more yellow than the enamel outer layer. As enamel thins and wears away around the edges from lack of attention, the teeth will appear more yellow due to the dentin showing through.

While the enamel is semi-translucent, it is still possible for it to be stained by dark drinks and food like coffee, sodas, and berries. But more than the color, the foods you eat and your habits can have an even more profound impact on your teeth.

Your oral hygiene and eating habits significantly affect your enamel. The positive choices you make for your mouth can lead to stronger, healthier teeth. By learning which practices go a long way in keeping the enamel of your teeth strong, you can extend the longevity of your enamel.

The foods and drinks you bring into your mouth affect your teeth, especially the more acidic the substance. Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, highly processed foods, and foods high in sugar more readily lead to tooth decay. Soft drinks, coffee, and juices are also high in acidity and will wear down the enamel of your teeth.

There are ways to consume these foods and drinks to lessen the adverse effect on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, to keep your enamel strong while still occasionally indulging in acidic foods, try:

• Using a straw so the drink doesn't wash over your teeth

• Eating the foods during a meal so other foods can lessen the acidic impact on your enamel

• Consuming while also eating cheese or other dairy products that are high in calcium 

• Rinsing mouth with water after consuming acidic food or drink

• Waiting an hour after eating or drinking sugary or acidic before you brush your teeth to prevent tooth enamel loss

Brushing and flossing remove plaque that harbors bacteria that eats away at the enamel, which leads to tooth decay.

Using fluoride toothpaste helps protect your teeth from cavities. Fluoride, a natural mineral, re-mineralizes and restores tooth enamel to combat bacteria from eroding it.

Can tooth enamel be repaired? While fluoride works to prevent enamel erosion, hydroxyapatite can repair it. Hydroxyapatite re-mineralizes damaged enamel. Re-mineralizing toothpastes that contain hydroxyapatite can restore your tooth enamel naturally.

Though enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it can be damaged gradually over time. The enamel of your teeth can be worn down in several ways.

The enamel layer can be eroded away if a person has consistent acid reflux. Because the pH level of stomach acid is much lower than the enamel, the constant gush of stomach content into the mouth causes the enamel to dissolve.

When you suffer from dry mouth or xerostomia, your mouth health is at risk. Saliva performs several crucial functions to keep everything in the mouth working well. Without it, your teeth have more difficulty fighting off bacteria and plaque.

The saliva in your mouth washes away food debris and sugars, helps you swallow, and even contains minerals like phosphate and calcium that help prevent tooth decay. If the saliva is not there to clean and boost the teeth with vital minerals, the enamel is more at risk of developing cavities.

Bruxism occurs when you grind or clench your teeth together unconsciously. You may do this during the day when you get stressed or even grind your teeth while you sleep. Even though your teeth are designed to deal with the pressures of chewing food, the strong enamel can be worn away when you grind your teeth.

Foods high in acidity, like citrus fruits or sodas, can significantly damage the enamel of your teeth. Other factors like constant snacking and chewing on ice can also weaken your enamel.

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as the use of tobacco products, leads to more tooth decay. Alcohol also dries the mouth out, which prevents saliva from washing the teeth and re-mineralizing the enamel.

Fortunately, when enamel on your teeth is either gone or damaged, dentist have several treatments to restore your tooth enamel and prevent infection and further tooth decay.

If your teeth have been damaged from tooth decay or have been worn away by acidic foods or acid reflux, your dentist can prevent further damage by performing tooth enamel repair.

How do you fix worn out tooth enamel? If there is a hole or weak spot in your enamel, your dentist can clear the area of bacteria and put a permanent seal over it to make sure no food or germs get to the more vulnerable layers of the tooth.  Your dentist can do this in several ways, depending on what is more appropriate for the situation. A few ways dentists protect cavities from getting worse include:

Fillings

If you have a cavity, your dentist will cut away any decay with a drill, being careful not to go deeper than necessary. Once the cavity is cleaned, your dentist will fill the hole with a substance such as amalgam silver, composite resin, porcelain, or gold. When the tooth is filled, it prevents bacteria or food from getting under the enamel layer.

Dental Bonding

If you have minor defects like cracks, chips, or even a gap in your teeth, dental bonding can be applied by a skilled dentist to cover the tooth's surface. This seals off any damage to the enamel so it does not get worse over time.

Veneers

If you have a crack or chip on the front of your teeth, your dentist can protect the inner layers of your tooth by placing a porcelain veneer over the front of the tooth. This prevents bacteria from getting inside the damaged enamel and is used for cosmetic purposes to create a natural-looking smile.

Dental Crown

When there is severe tooth decay and a large filling is needed, or if the tooth is broken or cracked and needs to be held together, a dental crown is an excellent solution. A crown is fitted over the tooth like a cap. Depending on the type of crown you get, the tooth must be prepped so it is more of a stub that the crown fits snuggly over, preventing germs and food particles from getting inside.

If you are concerned that your enamel is damaged or it has been over a year since you have been to the dentist, Smile Generation can help you find the perfect dentist right in your community. Protecting your enamel is important in keeping your teeth healthy. Regular visits to the dentist can help ensure your enamel stays strong and lasts a long time.