What’s Damaging Your Enamel?

Enamel, you’ve probably heard about it a time or two from your dentist. However, do you know what it is? Enamel is one of the components to caring for your oral health. By ensuring your enamel is in top quality, you’re able to have teeth as healthy as can be. Today, we’re going to dive into enamel and the ways you may be damaging it. If you’re concerned about your oral health and making sure your teeth – and in turn your enamel – are in quality condition, then make an appointment with a dentist from Lifetime Smiles.

What Is Enamel?

Enamel is part of your teeth. It is the outer layer and is the most visible part of your tooth. It is the hardest part of your tooth and the most highly mineralized material in your entire body. This portion of your tooth is made up of mostly minerals and is even responsible for the coloring of your teeth. Enamel can be different colors, but for the most part, is translucent. When you notice that your teeth are looking a little yellow, you’re noticing that the enamel is that color. Caring for your enamel is vital because if you don’t, then you’re contributing to the decay of your teeth. When you participate in efficient oral health practices, you’re playing an important role in preventing your enamel from eroding. Additionally, since enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it prevents the other parts of your teeth from becoming further damaged.

Three Activities That Are Damaging Your Enamel

There are many things that can damage the enamel of your teeth as well to make them look not as healthy and vibrant as they should. If you’re wondering what is damaging the enamel on your teeth – or you notice they are looking a little questionable, then these three activities will help you to understand what you should do to better care for your teeth.

Chewing On Pens

If you habitually chew on pens or pencils, then it’s best to think about quitting. This goes for those who chew on bottle caps, beer caps, and other types of hard materials that are not supposed to be put in your mouth. First, chewing on pens, pencils, or caps help to disfigure your teeth. Your teeth will begin to move out of formation and become unaligned. Second, chewing on pens or pencils actually chips away at the enamel on your teeth. By chewing on these items, you’re slowly damaging the enamel on your teeth. Third, chewing on these items are very bad for your health and can lead to accidents.

Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth is another bad habit many of us have. Grinding your teeth is a sign that you are stressed out, anxious, suffer from a sleep disorder, or have crooked teeth. This action will also lead to breaking down the enamel. The motion of grinding wears down the enamel and can begin to form tooth decay. This is an easy habit to break when you ask for the help of your dentist for a mouth guard to use at night.

Excess Whitening

Yes, whitening your teeth too much can lead to damaging your enamel. There’s nothing wrong with teeth whitening products until you begin to use too much of it, which leads to forming teeth sensitivity. When you use these products in a large quantity, you’ll notice that your teeth become more sensitive and are negatively impacted.

For further information about enamel and how to practice fantastic oral health, stay tuned for our next blog.