You’ve noticed your teeth looking a little worn down. Maybe they’re feeling extra sensitive when you drink something cold, or you’ve spotted some unusual spots that weren’t there before.
Is there any hope for healing that damaged enamel? The good news is that understanding tooth enamel isn’t as complicated as you might think. While complete enamel regrowth isn’t possible, there are definitely ways to strengthen and protect what you have.
What Exactly Is Tooth Enamel-and Why Can’t It Fully Repair Itself?
Your tooth enamel is nature’s ultimate protective shield, standing like invisible armor for your teeth. It’s actually the hardest tissue in the human body, even stronger than bone-which might surprise you!
Unlike other parts of your body that can heal completely, enamel is unique because it doesn’t contain living cells. Think of it like a superhero shield that, once damaged, can’t regenerate itself completely.
A large number of patients we see are incredulous when they discover that, once enamel has eroded, the body cannot just grow it back.
Clearly, this makes maintenance all the more important. Your enamel keeps the delicate inner layers of your teeth safe from the sort of acid and temperature extremes that most of us expose our teeth to throughout the day. And from the relentless grinding and gnashing that many of us do, too.
Signs Your Tooth Enamel Might Be In Trouble
Allow us to present more closely some of the warning signs that your tooth enamel might be suffering damage. The first red flag is commonly increased sensitivity to foods served very hot or very cold. You might wince when sipping a hot coffee or feel a sharp pain when eating ice cream. Another red flag is visible yellowing or discoloration.
Your middle-school health teacher told you that “the first thing people notice about you is your smile.” With enamel loss, your smile becomes less and less “you” and more and more “fingernail on a chalkboard.”
That’s because enamel is virtually the only part of the tooth that’s made up of pure, white, shiny stuff. When you lose it, you don’t just lose the tooth’s surface; you lose its surface in a very different way than the way it was cut, shaped, and polished for good dental health.
Also pay attention to the surface of your teeth. The texture of your teeth can tell you a lot about their health. “Rough or uneven tooth surfaces, along with small chips or cracks, can indicate that your enamel is eroding,” says Dr. Horwitz. And he’s right. If you’re starting to see (or feel) anything that looks like this, make an appointment for a more thorough checkup. It could be the most important one you ever have.
You May Like To Read: What Causes Receding Gums In Houston?
How Lifeworks Dental Helps Protect and Strengthen Enamel
You’re not by yourself in this fight to safeguard your tooth enamel. At Lifeworks Dental, located in the heart of Houston, TX, we uniquely qualify to create all-encompassing strategies to better protect tooth enamel and teeth from decay.
We hold a specialization in advanced treatments, which includes professional fluoride applications-unlike any you could receive in a regular dentist’s office-that help to greatly remineralize and offer a much better chance to strengthen existing (and maybe soon-to-be existing) tooth enamel back to full strength (or very near it).
We also apply specialized toothpastes that are like none you’ve ever used (and like no regular dentist would ever use), and they really do help to rebuild and offer much, much better protection to rebuild tooth surfaces. And remember: tooth enamel protection is what Lifeworks Dental is all about.
What makes us different is our custom-tailored prevention plans. We don’t go in for one-size-fits-all answers. We’ll sit down with you and understand your dental health story, and then we’ll map out a targeted plan to save your enamel.
Practical Tips to Prevent Enamel Damage
Presented below are several tangible tactics to maintain the robust state of your enamel in the real world:
- Employ a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent unneeded scrubbing.
- Keep drinking acidic beverages such as soda to a minimum, as they can severely wear down enamel in a short period.
- After consuming any food, be sure to swish your mouth with water to counteract any left behind acids.
- Use a remineralizing toothpaste that has been recommended by your dentist.
If you are a fan of citrus fruits or enjoy acidic foods, a pro tip is to try to drink water or rinse your mouth afterward to minimize potential enamel damage.
Remind that safeguarding your tooth enamel is a lifelong undertaking. Though it might not completely fix itself, with suitable attention and incisive counsel from professionals, you can appreciably decelerate enamel erosion and keep a smile that looks and feels healthy and strong.
For individualized recommendations or to arrange a meeting regarding your tooth enamel, get in touch with Lifeworks Dental. We can work directly with you to ensure that your enamel stays strong, so your smile can be bright.
Conclusion
Don’t panic about tooth enamel damage. With the right care and professional guidance, you can keep your smile strong and healthy. When in doubt, our Lifeworks Dental team is always here to help you understand your oral health.
