You might not realize how important your oral health is until you have dental pain like annoying tooth sensitivity. The key to avoiding these problems is to appreciate your smile now and show it by caring for your teeth every day.
Your dentist in Los Angeles stresses that caring for your teeth takes more than great brushing habits—you need to watch your diet and add preventive services to keep your tooth enamel (your smile’s protective layer) strong and healthy for years to come. Learn more about how to improve your oral health and preserve your enamel in this week’s blog post.
What does your tooth enamel do for you?
As mentioned earlier, tooth enamel is the substance that protects each of your teeth. This outer layer of your teeth acts as a protective shell between food, drinks, acid, and sugar and inner layers of your teeth. It’s actually the hardest substance that your body produces—but it’s only made once. That means it’s extremely important to care for your teeth so that you don’t suffer from enamel erosion and eventually tooth sensitivity.
What happens when enamel wears away?
Protecting a person’s enamel is one of the main focuses your dentist will stay attentive to. Every time a person puts something into their mouth, bites or chews, there is a risk of damaging the layer of enamel that works to protect your teeth.
That means that you must pay attention to the foods you eat and drinks that you sip on. High sugar foods and drinks eventually create an acidic substance that attacks the enamel of your teeth. The bacteria that lingers in your mouth mixes with leftover sugar and can begin to wear the enamel away.
Once the enamel becomes damaged, it allows for tooth decay or other dental concerns to lead to additional damage to the other layers of your teeth. Plus, tooth enamel works to protect the sensitive inside of your teeth from hot and cold substances that causes tooth sensitivity. That’s why when enamel wears away, you’ll experience twinging pain when you drink hot drinks or sip on ice cold water.
You and Your Dentist Can Work Together to Protect Tooth Enamel
One of the best ways that you can work to protect your tooth enamel is to partner with your local dentist for effective preventive care. By visiting your dentist, you can receive effective dental cleanings, exams, and even explore fluoride treatments that work to build up your enamel’s strength. Plus, your dentist will be able to recommend products to help keep your enamel strong at home, like fluoride infused toothpaste.
To learn more about tooth enamel, its importance and how to best protect it, give us a call and schedule an appointment today to see a dentist.
About Our Office
Here at Westside Dental Associates, we know that tooth sensitivity can be annoying and painful. No one should have to avoid their favorite foods in fear that they will experience even the slightest dental pain. If you need assistance right away, don’t hesitate to contact your local emergency dentist in Los Angeles. We would be happy to schedule your visit right away—sometimes even in the same day!