Have you ever wondered about this silent protector for our teeth?
The enamel acts like a shield to protect our teeth from damage and infection. A tooth without enamel would be like a soldier in battle without any defence. That surely won’t end well. So it’s extremely important to protect the enamel of your teeth.
Why is the enamel important?
The enamel is a translucent coating on your teeth that protects them from the effects of daily biting, chewing and grinding. This is the battle armour for your teeth, protecting them from the harmful acids and sugars going into your mouth every day. It prevents your teeth from getting stained and collecting bacteria that can build up into plaque after a while.
However, even the strongest battle shield can get worn out over time. The enamel can get depleted and start to become thin and lose its ability to protect the teeth. This is effectively a threat to the long-term health of your teeth.
Why so? Because unlike the bones and the skin on your body that have the ability to heal and repair itself, the enamel cannot do the same. This is because the coating of the enamel doesn’t have any living cells that enable them to do that.
So, is protecting and strengthening your enamel important? There’s only one right answer.
Signs of Enamel Erosion
Now that you know what tooth enamel is, and how important it is, there are a few signs that tell you that your enamel is starting to erode. Tooth sensitivity is one of the main signs. If you feel a sharp stinging sensation when you drink something too hot or too cold, your enamel could be weakening. You could also notice a slight discolouration on your teeth, going from white to yellow. The edges of your teeth could also develop cracks and become more rough and jagged.
These are some of the early signs of tooth enamel erosion. If you notice these signs, don’t worry, all is not lost. Learn how to strengthen your tooth enamel by incorporating good oral hygiene habits like the ones mentioned below. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain and sensitivity and you start noticing cavities, tooth decay, that could be a sign of significant tooth enamel erosion. In this case, you would need to visit your dentist as soon as you can to prevent further damage.
9 Things to Strengthen Your Enamel
1. Use a Toothpaste with Nano Hydroxyapatite
Nano Hydroxyapatite acts as a filler and repairs small holes and depressions on the enamel. 97% of the teeth’s enamel comprises hydroxyapatite, making it the building block of your teeth. So, rebuilding your teeth with the primary compound that they are composed of just makes sense. Nano Hydroxyapatite, one of
Dente91 Toothpaste’s hero ingredients is effective in preventing cavities, remineralizing teeth and reducing sensitivity without any possible side effects.
2. Brush Regularly
It may go without saying, but brushing your teeth twice a day is super important when it comes to practising good oral hygiene. Yes, we’re looking at the ones who skip brushing before bed. Make sure you make it a habit to brush once in the morning and at night. Use the toothbrush gently against your teeth and brush for at least two minutes.
3. Don’t Skip Flossing
Flossing can do wonders for your teeth that simple tooth brushing cannot. It can get in between each tooth and remove little pieces of food that can get stuck there. It also helps remove the plaque that can be present on the teeth and near the gum line which can cause tooth enamel erosion.
4. Use a Mouthwash
Brushing your teeth after every meal may be a little impractical. This is where a mouthwash steps in. Using a mouthwash after lunch or your evening snack will wash and cleanse your teeth of any remaining food or acids that get left on your teeth. It will also clean your tongue and help keep your breath fresh. Using a mouthwash right after flossing is another great option, as it rinses your mouth thoroughly.
5. Eating The Right Food
Eating foods that are rich in calcium helps fight the existing acid in your mouth that is eroding your enamel. Milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc. are a few food options that are good for your teeth. In addition, eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in fibre like apples, bananas, whole grains, spinach, broccoli, etc.
These foods will help produce more saliva in your mouth, which helps restore minerals to the teeth that have lost them due to bacterial acids. Green tea is also known to fight against bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay.
6. Stay Away From Sugary and Acidic Food
You may have noticed many little children with cavities in their teeth. This is common among them as they consume an endless supply of sugared candies and chocolates, which are inseparable from children at that age. However, as we grow up we need to take extra care of our teeth, as we know that new ones won’t grow again.
Sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which depletes the enamel, making it one of the main causes of tooth enamel erosion. Anything from chocolates to lollipops is a big no-no. If staying away from sugar and acidic foods is hard, make sure you rinse your mouth with water after eating a good amount of these foods.
7. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
This might come as a surprise to you, but chewing sugar-free gum can actually benefit your teeth. This is because chewing gum can produce more saliva in your mouth which helps fight the acid that ruins the enamel of your teeth. If you constantly feel like snacking in between meals, swap your little snack for some gum. Instead of eating any foods that can be acidic to your teeth.
8. Keep Your Stomach Clean To Avoid Acid Reflux
Have you faced a small burning sensation creeping up from your stomach to your throat? This normally happens when we have eaten too much or when our body hasn’t digested our food properly.
This is known as acid reflux and in certain cases, it can even reach your mouth and create a nasty affair. This is particularly bad for your teeth as it can increase the acid levels in your mouth. If this is a common occurrence for you, remember to eat your meals in small portions, stay away from acidic foods and avoid sleeping right after eating.
9. Drink Water to Prevent a Dry Mouth
Saliva is crucial in maintaining the health of your teeth. It’s the main thing that neutralizes the acid in your mouth and prevents it from breaking down the enamel. Saliva helps repair the tooth enamel through the process of remineralization.
Certain medicines and health conditions can make the mouth dry, like diabetes or yeast infections. Things like breathing with your mouth open and snoring also make people prone to a dry mouth. If you face this often, remember to constantly bring back the moisture with some water.
Why is lactoferrin vital to tooth enamel?
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein that is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. It originates in a mother’s breast milk and helps create the immune system of a baby.
What is the secret to the power of lactoferrin? It is able to bind with iron.
So, if your battle shield (the enamel) is getting destroyed, your only option is to weaken the power of your enemies (bad bacteria). Essentially, lactoferrin acts as a weakening agent to the harmful bacteria ruining the enamel. As it binds with iron, it deprives the bacteria of the nutrients it needs to grow, in turn reducing bad bacteria present on your teeth. What’s even better is that lactoferrin supports the growth of certain good bacteria, which require very low iron levels.
Over and above this, lactoferrin present in Dente 91’s toothpaste multiplies the defensive power of saliva, which helps fight the bacteria that pose a threat to the enamel of our teeth.
The unique formula of this toothpaste shows you how to strengthen the tooth enamel with lactoferrin. The importance of maintaining the health of your enamel cannot be stressed enough, so take the necessary steps to make sure your pearly whites stay white!
Shop for Dente91 Oral Care here.