How to Protect Your Tooth Enamel

Your tooth enamel is one of the hardest surfaces in your body and is meant to protect your teeth and insulate the nerves inside. When it is compromised you may find yourself with new cavities, chipped teeth, sensitivity, or teeth that look thin or dark. We know that is not what you want.

You can help preserve your tooth enamel by doing the following:

Brush Gently – stop scrubbing your teeth. You can clean more thoroughly by gently working the bristles of your toothbrush into all of the nooks and crannies around your teeth.

Limit Sodas and other Acidic Drinks – the acid and carbonation are both dangerous for your teeth. 

Get Treatment for GERD or Acid Reflux – these conditions keep your teeth marinating in acid and can cause serious damage to your enamel.

Try a Re-Mineralizing Toothpaste – there are special products available that specialize in protecting and strengthening tooth enamel.

 Drink a Lot of Water – water rinses acids off your teeth and can neutralize your mouth when you have taken medication, eaten, or had something to drink that is acidic.

Ask Your Dentist about Resurfacing Your Teeth – when enamel has already been lost, we can help by providing dental restorations that make your teeth look and feel better again.

Chew Sugarless Gum – it stimulates saliva that will wash acids off of your teeth.

See Your Dentist if You Think You Grind Your Teeth – night grinding flexes your teeth while putting excess pressure on them, which can cause enamel to chip away.

Beware of the Dangers of Swimming – if a pool's PH is too acidic it can put your tooth enamel at risk. Drinking water in between dips in the pool can help rinse the acid off your teeth.

Avoid Sugary or Spicy Foods – they create an acidic environment in your mouth.

Wait to Brush after Acidic Foods and Drinks – brushing immediately while your mouth is very acidic could contribute to enamel erosion, but don't forget to brush at all.

If you are concerned about enamel loss, we encourage you to see your dentist. Like most things, the solutions are usually easier and less expensive when caught early. 

If you are in the Rocklin area, we would love to help. Just call: (916) 624-3119

How to Keep Your Tooth Enamel Strong

Be Gentle With Your Teeth:  We have been brought up to believe the harder we scrub something the cleaner it will be.  This can be a dangerous mindset when it comes to your teeth.  Dr. Dan Hopper recommends brushing gently to protect your teeth and the delicate gums around them.  We also recommend and give our patients soft toothbrushes.  When you brush daily, your teeth will come clean with a gentle touch.

Protect Your Teeth When Swimming in Chlorinated Pools or Water Parks: Have you ever had your eyes burn when swimming in a pool? It means the pool water is too acidic, which can be hazardous for your teeth.  Teach your family to rinse their mouth thoroughly with drinking water after swimming.  When possible, test the PH of the water you will be in.  You can find test strips and guidelines at stores that sell pool supplies.    

Don’t Brush Right after Eating Acidic Foods or Drinking Sodas: New research shows that brushing can push food and soda acids deeper into your teeth.  Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water right after eating or drinking and brush your teeth after 30 minutes have gone by.

Treat Your Acid Reflux: Your teeth get extra blasts of stomach acid when you experience reflux.  Seeking medical help and preventing episodes will go a long way toward protecting your enamel.

Avoid Sugary Foods and Sodas: Sugar is well known for contributing to cavities that attack your tooth enamel and carbonation is highly acidic.  Put the two together and they can wipe out your tooth enamel.  You can protect your teeth by limiting your exposure to both of these substances and rinsing with drinking water after you have them.