Meaning of Tooth Enamel
The external covering of the tooth is known as tooth enamel. It’s the hardest tissue present in the human body. The main mineral that forms the enamel is calcium phosphate; hence, the consumption of calcium supplements and calcium-rich food helps in creating a strong and healthy enamel. It is responsible for protecting the inner layers of the teeth, namely dentin and pulp. Dentin makes up the main portion of the tooth, giving it the characteristic white colour. At the same time, enamel is translucent; regular visits to the dentist and dental care help in maintaining polished and clean enamel.
Function of Tooth Enamel
The functions of tooth enamel are absolutely inarguable and a necessity, as a broken bone can be repaired, but a fractured adult tooth is irreparable damage.
- • Enamel acts as a defensive guard and protects the inner layers of the teeth—dentin and pulp—from damage.
- • As it’s the hardest tooth, it protects the tooth from corrosion while biting, grinding, chewing, and the disunion caused by it.
- • It also protects the teeth from chemical corrosion and painful temperatures, which might erode the tooth.
- • It helps in guarding the teeth from decay due to the bacteria and origins present in our mouth.
- Although enamel acts as a defensive subcaste, it might mince and crack if proper oral hygiene is not maintained; potables like cold drinks, tea, alcohol, and cigarettes might erode as well as stain the enamel.
Causes of Enamel Erosion
Enamel corrosion can be due to the following causes :
• Consuming food and potables that contain phosphoric and citric acid, similar to soft drinks, delicacies, and sour food. Bacteria in our mouths survive on sugar; hence, high-sugar-containing food and drinks beget enamel corrosion.
• Dropped slaver inflow or dry mouth can also lead to dangerous goods. The saliva in our mouth protects the enamel by washing down stuck-on food debris and bacteria.
• Gastric problems similar to acid reflux complaints might bring up the stomach acids to the mouth, causing damage to the enamel.
• Some specifics might also beget enamel corrosion.
• Unbridled drinking of alcohol and posterior vomiting, which is hard on the teeth, might also lead to similar damage.
• There might also be a possibility of an inherited condition that leads to enamel corrosion.
Conditions leading to enamel corrosion
- Plaque—It’s a sticky, yellowish film of saliva that comprises food debris and origins that cover the enamel as a substrate. It also enters the tiny pores present in the teeth and erodes the enamel. This converts the starch present in your mouth to harmful acids, and that, in turn, causes tooth decay by destroying the healthy minerals present in the tooth and forming a hard tartar over the teeth. Flossing, proper oral hygiene, and brushing two times a day should be practised to prevent the cause of the disease.
- Enamel fluorosis—Fluoride helps in preventing tooth decay, yet overuse of fluoride might beget enamel fluorosis. This is generally seen in children, which is caused by overconsumption of fluoride supplements, overuse, and swallowing of fluoride-containing toothpaste. The mild conditions are not generally concerning, while in severe cases, there might be discoloration and level teeth. Excessive use of fluoride supplements and fluoride-containing pastes, especially in children, should be checked.
Symptoms of Enamel Erosion
Dents on the surface of the tooth: The tooth surface might have small pores and dents.
- Prone to decay of tooth: Erosion of enamel leads to higher chances of tooth decay.
- Transparent teeth: Enamel is supposed to be translucent; if the teeth start becoming transparent, then enamel erosion might be taking place.
- Smooth surfaces: Shiny and smooth surfaces are also a symptom of enamel damage.
- Tarnishing of teeth: Teeth with enamel erosion might start looking yellow due to more exposure to dentin.
- Increased sensation of the tooth: As enamel protects the highly sensitive inner layers of the teeth, its erosion may cause increased sensitivity in the tooth.
Enamel erosion exposes the tooth to germs and bacteria directly, which may lead to its decay and the growth of cavities. Its effects are negligible at first, while in severe cases, it becomes extremely painful and might also cause infections.
Precautions for preventing enamel loss
Enamel erosion cannot be completely stopped, but there are some precautions that one might follow to minimize it by a considerable amount.
- Use of a straw to drink very hot or very cold beverages so that the liquid does not directly reach our teeth and moves to the back part of our mouth.
- Avoid acid-containing potables and foods such as sweet candies, sweets, carbonated drinks, and citric fruits. Cleaning the mouth thoroughly after eating any of the edibles mentioned above.
- Brushing twice a day to remove bacteria and germs present in our mouth.
- Avoid meals and diets with high sugar content.
- Avoiding alcohol and alcoholic drinks, as they stain the teeth and also cause enamel loss.
- Use of fluoride pastes, but with limitations, as overuse of fluoride supplements might lead to enamel fluorosis.
- Drinking at least 3-4 litres of water daily to prevent the occurrence of dry mouth.
Recovery of enamel
In mild cases, the tooth is bonded to protect the tooth from decaying and also for a visually pleasing appearance. In severe cases, the dentist might suggest covering the tooth with some artificial sources of protection to protect the tooth from further damage. Mineralization of the tooth can also be another form of recovering the enamel. As it is formed of calcium, calcium treatments strengthen the enamel and protect it. Fluoride pastes might be used to strengthen the enamel.
Conclusion
Enamel is a necessary part of our teeth, and as we have heard the proverb “Prevention is better than cure,” we should try to maintain oral hygiene and take proper and ongoing care of our teeth to maintain healthy teeth. Loss of tooth and enamel is an irreversible and, above all, painful process; hence, we should make regular visits to our dentists to identify and cure problems at the very beginning. Book your appointment today with Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre