If you want to have white and healthy teeth, brushing twice a day is not enough. The strength of tooth enamel also plays a key role.
Tooth enamel is the hard outer protective layer of the tooth and is the first barrier against daily wear and tooth decay.
Its strength is affected by many factors, including your diet, physical condition, medication use, and even genetics and early life experiences.
Some people are born with thin or brittle enamel, which may be caused by rare genetic diseases such as “enamel imperfecta”.
However, Dr. Isabel Chase, director of the pediatric dentistry residency program at Harvard Dental School, pointed out that the fragility of tooth enamel is more due to environmental factors, especially the influence of the fetal period or infancy.
Scientific studies have found that prenatal health problems such as vitamin D deficiency or gestational diabetes are associated with an increased risk of enamel development defects in children.
At the same time, malnutrition in infants and young children and diseases in early life (such as measles, pneumonia or frequent high fevers) may also weaken the enamel structure.
When tooth enamel becomes thinner, teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold stimuli and are more susceptible to tooth decay. Dr. Chase emphasized that such sensitivity problems are common in clinical practice.
For adolescents and adults, tooth enamel erosion is often caused by consuming too many acidic foods or drinks. Such foods include fruit juices, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, sodas, and vinegar-soaked foods (such as pickles).
Although coffee is less acidic and not as corrosive as citrus drinks or sodas, if sugar is added, it may promote the growth of oral bacteria and produce acidic metabolites, which can also damage teeth.
In addition, foods that adhere to the surface of teeth are more likely to cause harm. Dr. Daniel Fein, chairman of the Department of Oral Biology at the Rutgers University School of Dentistry, pointed out that frequent consumption of such foods will gradually destroy tooth enamel, causing its mineral loss, which can cause tooth decay or tooth chipping.
He adds: “If you eat a whole bar of chocolate at once, your teeth are only exposed to the acid once; if you eat it over several times, you are exposed to the acid multiple times, which is more likely to cause damage.”
Enamel erosion can also be exacerbated by certain health conditions, such as acid reflux or frequent vomiting, which can particularly affect the integrity of teeth at the back of the mouth. Exposure to strong acids, such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, in certain occupations poses a similar risk.
Saliva plays an important role in protecting your teeth. It neutralizes acids and provides key minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to support the remineralization process of your teeth.
Dark green leafy vegetables are high in calcium, while nuts, beans and meats are high in phosphorus, which are very beneficial for dental health. However, people with chronic dry mouth (often caused by disease or medication) may lack the protection of saliva, which increases the risk of weak teeth.
Dentists can assess the condition of tooth enamel by shining a bright light on the tooth or, if necessary, taking an X-ray.
While we can’t control some of our genetic factors, we can strengthen our tooth enamel through daily habits. Dr. Chase advises that it is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing daily.
But wait 30 minutes to an hour after eating or drinking before brushing to give your saliva time to remove acid residue from your mouth.
The American Dental Association recommends using a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride binds to calcium and phosphorus in your saliva to help repair and strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
For people with weak enamel or those who are prone to tooth decay, your dentist may also recommend a fluoride mouthwash or a high-concentration fluoride toothpaste. But Dr. Fein warns that these types of protective measures work best when they are introduced early.
To prevent tooth decay, Dr. Chase recommends reducing the frequency of acidic meals and avoiding long sipping beverages or frequent snacking to reduce the number of times your teeth are exposed to acid. Rinsing your mouth after meals and drinking plenty of water can also stimulate saliva production, further helping to neutralize acid in your mouth.
Regular dental checkups are also critical to help you detect and take action before enamel damage is too severe. If tooth enamel continues to be damaged, the consequences are irreversible.
Once cavities and tooth cracks are formed, they cannot be completely repaired. Dr. Fein emphasized that it is too late to wait until the toothache occurs before filling the tooth.
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