Oct 16, More than nine in 10 Canadians have had dental decay at some point in their lives. This makes tooth decay the most common oral condition in Canada, and, in fact, throughout the world.
The good news is, tooth decay is preventable. This is much thanks to the enamel, the extremely hard material that covers and protects the teeth. This doesn't mean that the enamel is impervious to damage, though. Tooth enamel loss can still occur, and it can happen way faster if you make the wrong food and drink choices. Ready to learn more about enamel and the many things that can weaken it?
Then let's get right into it! What Is the Enamel? The enamel is the hard, outermost layer of the teeth. Think of it as a shield protecting the inner, more sensitive parts of your teeth. In fact, it's this material that protects your teeth from the bad bacteria that live in the mouth. This makes the enamel the hardest material in the body -- even harder than bone and steel.
However, the enamel is also a lot more brittle than both. As such, no matter how hard the enamel is, it can corrode, erode, and wear away over time. Enamel loss is one of the main causes of tooth sensitivity and eventually, dental decay. When this occurs, your gums will become more susceptible to gum disease.
Contrary to popular belief though, aging isn't the sole culprit behind the loss of enamel. Yes, you'll lose some of this protective covering as a natural part of the aging process. However, there are many other things that can speed up the deterioration of the enamel. Poor Dental Hygiene The oral cavity is home to about bacterial species. Most of these microorganisms are benign or harmless, while others aid in digestion. Some even help protect the gums and teeth from diseases.
Many others, however, are the primary reason for tooth decay and gum disease. These are the bacteria that feed on the carbohydrates left by the food and drinks you consume. As they eat away and digest these carbs, these bacteria produce acids on the teeth.
These acids turn into plaque once they get mixed with your saliva and the other bacteria in your mouth. Plaque is the soft, sticky, and clear film that forms on the surfaces of and between teeth. It can also cover the areas above and below your gum line. Plaque contains millions of bacteria that attack the teeth enamel. Repeated attacks will ultimately wear away and weaken the enamel.
The thing is, detectable plaque can form on undisturbed teeth in as little as 12 hours. Tooth enamel is the hard, outer surface layer of your teeth that serves to protect against tooth decay.
In fact, tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body, even stronger than bone. In spite of its strength, everyday acids that develop from certain foods and drinks, particularly those that are sweet or contain starch, can put your enamel at risk. Plaque bacteria produce acids that can weaken and destroy tooth enamel. Acids can attack and soften the tooth surface. And once your enamel is gone, it can be gone for good.
Two types of tooth damage—abrasion and erosion—can affect the tooth enamel. Fluoride acts as a barrier between your teeth and destructive substances like sugars, starches, and acids, protecting the weakened enamel and your teeth. For specific advice based on your enamel loss, make sure to speak to your dentist about the best solution for you and your teeth.
Without enamel, the sensitive part of your teeth is exposed and vulnerable to destructive substances, much more susceptible to breakages, and can become extremely sensitive and painful. Because the enamel protects the inner part of the tooth, without it, teeth would deteriorate and decay very quickly, resulting in oral pain, tooth loss, infection, and likely gum disease. For mouths with advanced enamel loss, artificial teeth may be installed as a solution to ward off further decay from teeth, gums, and the overall jaw structure.
Flossing and brushing twice every single day with fluoridated toothpaste is the easiest and most effective daily prevention method to combat and prevent enamel loss.
Using a mouthwash that fights against enamel loss can also be a great addition to this routine, and will provide extra protection throughout your day. And, of course, visiting your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning is a key step in ensuring that your entire mouth gets a regular cleaning, by targeting hard to reach areas where destructive bacteria can dwell.
For example, sugary and acidic foods can cause enamel erosion. It is important to be aware of the signs that could indicate that your enamel is wearing down. A Clermont dentist at Hancock Village Dental can also help you determine if enamel erosion has occurred and to what degree. If you have been experiencing increased sensitivity of your teeth, it may be due to enamel erosion. This is one of the most common signs of enamel loss and is caused when the protective coating of the tooth wears away, exposing the softer and more sensitive dentin layer.
Teeth sensitivity may occur when consuming very hot or cold food or beverages, when brushing your teeth, or when your gums are exposed to air. Dents that develop on the tooth surface can occur when enamel erosion progresses over time. Referred to by dentists as cupping, these pits or indentations on the tooth surface often occur when acids in the mouth wear away the enamel and dentin. If not promptly treated, a case of cupping can lead to scratches, chips, or cracks in the teeth.
When a substantial amount of enamel wears away from the tooth, the yellowish dentin layer becomes more visible. This can give the tooth a yellowish appearance. In addition to taking on a more yellow appearance, the teeth may look more translucent, dull, and can lose their natural shine. The outer edges of your teeth are most at risk for acid erosion as they are the weakest and tend to take on the brunt of the damage.
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