Tooth enamel is an essential part of your tooth structure and is the hardest substance in the human body. It protects the tooth’s inner layers from infection and decay, including the dentin underneath the enamel and the dental pulp right in the centre.

Although tooth enamel is strong, it can become thinner over time. Weak tooth enamel in Oshawa can increase your risk of developing cavities or more serious tooth infections that might require lengthier treatments like root canal therapy.

While it may not be possible to repair all damage to tooth enamel, there are steps you can take to help protect and strengthen it.

What Can Weaken Tooth Enamel?

Tooth enamel can be weakened by various factors that include:

• Brushing teeth too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Poor diet.
• Acid reflux or GERD.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia).

Once enamel is eroded, it cannot regenerate. Here are the steps you can take to protect it.

Brush Gently

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions to clean your teeth thoroughly. Don’t use too much pressure; if you have an electric toothbrush, it may alert you if you press too hard.

Improve Your Oral Care Routine

Dental plaque, a sticky biofilm, continually builds up over your tooth surfaces. It contains bacteria that thrive on leftover food debris. These bacteria produce acid that weakens tooth enamel. Prolonged exposure to these acids causes tooth enamel erosion and, eventually, cavities.

Ensure you brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss every day. The best time to brush your teeth is first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Ideally, it is better to floss last thing at night so you go to bed with a clean mouth, but if it is easier to floss in the morning, do this instead. Forming a routine that will be easy to stick to is important.

Watch Your Diet

Dietary habits that can damage tooth enamel include snacking between meals and consuming too many foods and beverages high in sugars or acids. Snacking between meals can be a problem because every time you eat something sugary or starchy, bacteria work on the leftovers and produce acids. Your mouth remains acidic after eating for approximately half an hour to an hour. The more frequently you snack, the more often your teeth are exposed to these damaging acids.

Instead, try to cut down on snacks and choose healthier foods for teeth, like crunchy fruits and vegetables or sugar-free dairy products or cheese. Dairy foods contain plenty of calcium and phosphorus that help harden tooth enamel. Instead of sugary or fizzy drinks, rehydrate with plain water.

After eating, wait at least half an hour before you brush your teeth so acidity levels decrease and your enamel re-hardens slightly.

Get Treatment for Oral or General Health Problems

If you have problems like xerostomia or GERD, ask our dentist in Whitby for practical advice and help. You may also need to see your GP in case an underlying health problem causes these issues.

Xerostomia in Ajax can be relieved with over-the-counter mouth sprays to help keep your mouth moist or with a mouth rinse specially designed for this problem. Drinking more water or chewing sugar-free gum can help to stimulate saliva flow. We may suggest more frequent dental cleanings to remove any tartar buildup. Getting rid of this more often can help protect tooth enamel.

How We Can Help

When you visit Margolian Dentistry, we can assess your tooth enamel and, if needed, recommend suitable treatments to help strengthen and protect it. Fluoride dental products can help strengthen tooth enamel, or we may provide professional fluoride treatments.