Enamel is the thin but hard outer covering of your tooth. Your enamel covers the tooth crown, making it possible for you to chew through tough food. It is also the most visible part of your teeth. As such, it is important to prevent tooth enamel loss to keep your teeth performing well every year and to maintain your teeth’s vibrant appearance.
The best thing you can to promote tooth enamel health is to visit your local dentist at Lovett Dental Conroe. Try to schedule teeth cleaning twice a year and make sure you practice good brushing and flossing habits. However, even if you experience some tooth enamel loss, you can do some other things to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
What Causes Tooth Enamel Loss?
There are several reasons why you may lose some enamel around your teeth:
- Genetics
- Acid reflux
- Diet
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sugar intake
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Wear and tear
Regardless of losing enamel, it is important to take precautions to prevent further tooth enamel loss.
How to Prevent Tooth Enamel Loss: Visit Your Dentist
If you notice that enamel is missing around the top, back, or side of your tooth, it is time to schedule a visit to the dentist. Your dentist can perform a comprehensive checkup to identify the causes of enamel erosion and recommend the appropriate treatment. You may be a candidate for a dental crown and bridges, filling, or even a tooth extraction.
Continue Brushing and Flossing
If you brush and floss regularly but still notice enamel loss, don’t be too disappointed. There may be a variety of factors that contribute to enamel erosion. What is most important is that you maintain tooth enamel health. So, be sure you brush your teeth twice a day and use floss to get rid of any residue after your brush.
Make sure your toothbrush and mouthwash are ADA approved and contain fluoride. You can slowly rebuild your enamel over time by using fluoride. Although you may not notice a considerable improvement, fluoride can prevent further tooth enamel loss.
Watch Your Diet
Highly acidic foods can eat away at your enamel and rot out your gums. To protect your enamel, reduce your intake of acidic foods considerably. Acidic foods may include citrus fruits, lemons, or carbonated sodas. When you do eat acidic foods, you may want to wash the acid down with water. Brushing your teeth twice a day can also remove the residue from acidic foods.
Drink More Water
Speaking of water, it is a good idea to drink plenty of water each day to prevent enamel loss. How much water should you drink? Most health experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water per day. If you don’t want to drink that much water, then be selective about when you drink water. For instance, drink a glass of water after every meal. Also, drink water first thing in the morning to rinse out bacteria buildup from the night before.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing gum increases saliva production by up to ten times your normal saliva flow. The more saliva you have in your mouth, the less dry your mouth becomes. Saliva can wash down bacteria and other harmful substances in your mouth. It also contains minerals that are good for your teeth. Choose sugar-free gum that contains xylitol, which reduces acids in foods and beverages.
Schedule Your Next Checkup at Lovett Dental Conroe
If you have problems with enamel, then schedule your next checkup at Lovett Dental Conroe. We offer a wide range of dental services, so contact us at 936-760-2400. We can help you prevent tooth enamel loss and take care of your teeth.
