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What is tooth enamel?

Tooth enamel is one of the hardest tissue in a human body. This is a thin but, very strong coating that allows for our teeth to be protected from plaque bacteria. This coating covers the complete crown of your tooth this is a protection from an everyday use which includes chewing, biting, and grinding. This strong coating is a protection for the underlying dentin in our teeth, which is the major component of all our teeth. It is a great protection for our teeth, making them strong for all the biting and chewing that goes on. This is where the good oral hygiene comes in, as your enamel is translucent and it is easily stainable. Therefore, brushing and flossing daily should be on the top of the list when it comes to having a good oral hygiene.  Having a good oral hygiene is very important as it helps us maintain healthy living by having health teeth.

If our tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in our human body, why is it so sensitive?  This all comes down the second layer of our teeth the underlying dentin. Dentin is made up of tiny tubules that serve to connect the tooth’s surface to the nerves, which is what causes for us to feel at times sensitivity towards the hot and cold, and sometimes even pain. The dentin is what makes up most of our teeth allowing your teeth have its structure and its color. However, dentin is soft this is why the enamel is needed to protect it. The enamel serves with the purpose to protect the crown of the tooth which is the visible part of our teeth. Nonetheless the roots of our teeth are not protected by enamel which makes them vulnerable and if not well taken care of by your oral hygiene, our teeth can be exposed to gum disease and sensitivity. This is why tooth enamel is so important and why we should be taking care off it. Unfortunately, even though tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in our body it can wear away this is called enamel loss or enamel erosion. This is usually due the consumption of acidic foods or drinks that go on a daily basis, and our tooth enamel does not grow back as it is a non-living substance and it cannot regenerate.  What we can do to maintain our tooth enamel healthy is avoid having acidic foods and drinks like soda, wine, even coffee on a daily basis. If avoiding such acidic drinks is not cutting in drinking through a straw can sure lessen contact with teeth. Drinking plenty of water and always brushing and flossing on a daily basis and be sure to have your regular dental visits.

If you have any symptoms such as sensitivity to hot or cold, if you see any discoloration on your teeth, any cracks or chips, or teeth that have any rounded and/or transparent appearance. Let your dentist know, only your dentist can let you know with a proper exam if you are suffering from enamel loss. Tooth enamel loss or enamel erosion can be preventable if following tips above, and also following up with your regular dental visits. If you have any questions regarding enamel loss, please be sure to contact our dentist Dr. Danial Kalantari at our dental office Smiles on Bristol. Contact Us