Preventative Dental Care for Healthy Dental Enamel

Preventative dental care is important for optimal oral health. It prevents bad breath, oral disease, tooth loss, among others.

The enamel is the outermost part of the tooth. It is a white visible part above the gum. It is the part seen when you smile. The enamel is also the strongest layer of the tooth. It is also the hardest tissue in the body.

Because of its strength, the enamel is what helps with the biting and chewing of food. It also protects the more sensitive inner structures of the teeth.

Despite being the strongest layer of the tooth, inadequate care can lead to breakdown and destruction. Both you and the dentist have roles in preserving the tooth enamel by giving adequate preventative dental care.

Personal care

Care for the enamel is not different from the care that is to be given to the mouth in general. To maintain strong, healthy enamel, you need to;

Brush and floss daily – it is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily. Foods can contain coloring agents (either natural or artificial). Regular brushing prevents these coloring agents from staining the teeth permanently.

Regular flossing helps to remove food particles from in-between the teeth

Reduce intake of foods that can stain the teeth. Such foods include:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Curry
• Red wine
• Fruits and fruit juices from fruits like beetroots and berries
• Soda
• Candy
• Tomato-containing sauces
• Eat foods high in calcium – eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium will help build and maintain strong enamel.
• Use fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash – this compliments the fluoride gotten from the diet: fluoride build stringer and decay-resistant enamel.
• Stay away from foods that are too hot or too cold. Extremes of temperature can erode the enamel. This will lead to an increase in tooth sensitivity.

Professional care

The dentist also has a part to play in giving preventative dental care to your enamel. To maintain a healthy enamel, we recommend that you see a dentist for:

• Regular dental check-ups – it is essential that you visit the dentist at least once in six months.
• Dental cleaning – this professional cleaning procedure removes plaque and bacteria growth. It is a more thorough cleaning than brushing and flossing. This procedure is usually painless if done regularly.
• Teeth whitening – this is a dental procedure that is done to make the teeth whiter. It is commonly done for its social benefits. However, with hereditary tooth discoloration or discoloration due to medication use, this procedure serves a more health-related benefit.
• Bleach is used to remove foreign substances that discolor it. This restores it to its near-normal structure.
• Scaling and root planning – in this procedure, the dentist uses curettes and scalers to remove tartar and calculi from the gum pockets. This prevents the formation of tooth cavities which will erode the enamel and then progress inward into the tooth structure.