If you have sensitive teeth, or your dentist suddenly finds more cavities than before, it may be because your tooth enamel has worn away. Tooth enamel is the clear, hard, mineral substance that covers your teeth and protects the tooth and nerves from damage. While some wear and tear on your tooth enamel is normal, it cannot be replaced once it’s gone. Therefore, you want to protect the enamel as much as possible to keep your teeth healthy.

5 Ways to Protect Your Tooth Enamel

1. Practice Proper Dental Care

The best way to keep your tooth enamel strong is to care for your teeth. This means brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Ideally, you should brush after every meal, especially if you eat acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, and sodas. Don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly as well for a professional cleaning and exam.

2. Brush Your Teeth Properly

If you use too much pressure when you brush your teeth, or brush too fast, you can damage tooth enamel. Use a soft bristle brush, and make short, gentle strokes at a 45-degree angle to avoid damage. Or, consider switching to an electric toothbrush that will alert you when you are brushing too hard.

3. Keep Your Mouth Moist

Saliva helps rinse away the acid that can damage tooth enamel, so keep your mouth moist. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and chew sugar-free gum between meals to increase saliva production. If you have chronic dry mouth, speak with your dentist about alternative treatments that can keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

4. Get Plenty of Calcium

Calcium-rich foods, including low-fat milk, cheese, and broccoli can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent damage. If you don’t get enough calcium from your diet, choose calcium-added versions of your favorite foods or take a calcium supplement for healthy teeth and bones.

5. Limit Sugary Foods

When you eat sugary foods, like candy, or have drinks like soda, the bacteria in your mouth feeds on the sugar and creates acid, which breaks down your tooth enamel. Limit your consumption of these foods, and if you do enjoy them, brush your teeth about an hour afterward to remove the acid.

Keeping your smile healthy and bright requires regular dental care. Families in the Dothan, AL-area can turn to David M. Dauphin, DMD for all of their dental needs, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening. This experienced dentist and his team use state-of-the-art technology to develop customized treatment plans to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (334) 794-3727 to schedule an appointment.