How to Prevent Enamel Loss

Closeup of a woman receiving a dental checkup to assess her tooth enamel

Tooth enamel plays a large role in tooth health. It’s crucial to keep your enamel healthy and strong to prevent serious dental problems from arising. You only get one set of permanent teeth, so it’s important to safeguard your enamel as much as you can. Keep reading to learn how to prevent enamel loss!

What Is Tooth Enamel?

Enamel is the outer coating of teeth that covers and protects the sensitive inner layers of the teeth, the dentin and pulp. Enamel is the toughest and hardest tissue in the body. It is made of a crystalline structure of minerals.

Consume a Balanced Diet

When choosing what to eat, be mindful of picking tooth-healthy foods and beverages that will build healthy teeth and strong gums, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and calcium-rich foods and beverages. Limit your consumption of alcohol, juice, soda, candy, white bread, crackers, potato chips, pastries, and other sugary foods.

Maintain Great Oral Hygiene at Home

One of the best ways to ensure your enamel stays in great shape is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes each time with fluoridated toothpaste. Always utilize a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damaging your enamel when you brush. In addition to brushing your teeth daily, make sure you floss every day. Lingering food debris will feed bad bacteria in your mouth. Well-fed bacteria produce harmful acids that will erode your enamel.

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

The American Dental Association advises that patients visit the dentist twice a year for a routine cleaning and exam beginning at their first birthday. Biannual dental cleanings can help prevent enamel loss by removing plaque and tartar buildup. Another huge benefit of regular dental checkups is that your dental team will be able to catch and treat any dental issues while they’re still small.

Are you overdue for a dental cleaning and exam? No worries! Schedule an appointment at Sullivan Family Dental to get your smile back into tip-top shape.

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