Despite how durable it is, the enamel can be damaged surprisingly easily. Here is a look at what you need to know about this vital component of dental and oral health.
Everyone knows what teeth look like, but they might not understand what tooth enamel is. Despite how durable it is, the enamel can be damaged surprisingly easily. Here is a look at what you need to know about this vital component of dental and oral health.
What Tooth Enamel Is
The rigid and hard outer shell of your teeth is referred to as the enamel. The enamel helps protect your teeth from the effects of gum disease and tooth decay. It’s also much stronger than bone, which might surprise you. However, it is prone to breaking down due to neglect, improper diet, and too much sugar, acid, or plaque buildup in your mouth.
Types of Damage
Now let’s look at the types of damage that can grind down your tooth enamel. The two types are known as abrasion and erosion. If you brush your teeth too forcefully, you can cause abrasion damage without realizing it. That’s because abrasion comes from friction, such as rubbing. Using toothpicks, removing dentures or retainers can also cause this type of damage to your teeth. Erosion comes from acids such as from the food and drink you consume. Stomach acid also contributes to this problem. Plaque bacteria will linger on your teeth if you don’t do anything about them, and those toxins can also cause your teeth enamel to break down.
Signs of Damage
With that being said, here are some of the signs of damage to watch out for; speak to your dentist if you are worried about any of them happening to you!
Discoloration and Shape Change: one reason you might be uncomfortable with your smile is the fact that your teeth have changed color. Yellow teeth or teeth that are too shiny are both bad news.
Sensitivity Levels: Let’s say that you drink a glass of lemonade and the ice clinking against your teeth hurts when it never used to do – unusual sensitivity levels may mean something is wrong with your tooth enamel.
Roughness: if your teeth feel rough around the edges, then that isn’t good news either. That’s because you are losing your enamel prematurely.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH HAPPY WITH ANNAPOLIS DENTAL CARE!
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. To set up an appointment today, please give us a call at 410-571-5014 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!