Caring for your smile is a lifelong commitment, and our Glendale dentists are here to help you make a plan to care for your smile that works for years to come. One of the absolute best things that you can do to care for your smile is to honor and preserve your existing dental structure as much as possible. No matter what treatments we complete, we want to keep as much as possible of your natural dental structure intact.
Today we’re going to be giving you some more information about one component of your smile: your dental enamel. As you’ll see, enamel is vitally important for its ability to protect your smile; you want to take steps every day to keep your enamel strong and healthy.
Dental enamel is the outermost covering of your tooth. When it is young and health enamel generally appears as some shade of white. Enamel can change in appearance over time; for example, enamel can accumulate environmental stains from foods, drinks, and tobacco.
Although dental enamel is pretty strong and durable, it is not impervious to damage. Here are some of the most common threats to dental enamel:
- Acidic substances—foods and drinks that contain a lot of acid can weaken enamel and make it more susceptible to erosion. Try to limit your consumption of acidic foods and drinks, and rinse your mouth with water after consuming them.
- Bruxism—if you are one of the many patients who clench and grind their teeth, you are probably putting your enamel at risk. Talk to your dentist about treatments for bruxism to safeguard your smile.
- Bad habits—when you find yourself chomping on ice, or chewing a hard candy, take a second to remind yourself that you’re putting your enamel at risk. Hard and abrasive substances can cause micro-cracks in your enamel. These imperfections may not even be visible with the naked eye, but they are there, and they can widen and intensify over time.
- Forgoing protective appliances—if you take part in a contact or extreme sport, please wear a protective mouth guard when necessary! It is so much easier to prevent dental damage than it is to treat it after the fact.
Enamel is designed to protect the more vulnerable layer of your tooth. Help your smile stay beautiful for years to come by caring for your enamel now. Give our Glendale dentists a call to learn more and to schedule a personal consultation with our team!