The enamel on your teeth is the hard outer layer of material that covers and protects the tooth. Without it, your teeth would wear down very quickly and would be highly susceptible to damage from tough or hard foods, decay, and other matters. For some people, the enamel is weaker than it should be, leading to difficulty maintaining good oral health. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do about this.
Drink Fluoridated Water
Fluoridated drinking water is one of the best tools available to help protect your teeth. The fluoride in the water helps replenish the minerals in your enamel and can help keep it stronger than it otherwise would be.
In addition to drinking water with fluoride added to it, you may wish to talk with us about topical fluoride solutions that you can put on your teeth. It only takes a few minutes to do it, and the benefits of a topical fluoride solution far outweigh the cost of the time it takes to apply them.
Drink Regular Water
If you are thirsty and have a choice between water and some other sweetened beverage such as soda, keep in mind that the elevated sugar levels in sweetened drinks will directly contribute to the weakening of your enamel. This is because the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar; as a byproduct they release acid that attacks your enamel and weakens it.
As such, it really is best to choose water over soda. If you must drink a sugary drink, follow it up by rinsing out your mouth with clean water. This will help remove the excess sugar and keep the acidity in your mouth at a lower level.
If you have any questions about keeping your enamel strong, please contact us today.
