Do you know the hardest substance in the human body? It’s the tooth enamel. But despite of this, it is not entirely indestructible. The tooth enamel can still get eroded despite of being a toughie, and it’s something that can lead to all sorts of problems like tooth sensitivity, discoloration and cavities.
Because the tooth enamel is not composed of living cells, it cannot be replaced or repaired by your body. In other words, once your tooth enamel is damaged, it’s damaged for life.
Due to this reason, it’s of utmost importance for you to keep your tooth enamel strong. This is most especially true if you care about your smile and you don’t want to one day end up facing an assortment of problems with your teeth. Luckily, keeping your tooth enamel strong is very much possible with just a few common habits.
Here are some of the things that you may do to toughen up your tooth enamel:
Brushing Twice a Day
Dentists say that you should brush at least twice a day to safeguard your teeth from acid-forming bacteria that can easily wreak havoc to your tooth enamel. You should also do your best to brush after eating certain foods that are known to increase the likelihood of your tooth enamel getting damaged — some will be mentioned in a few.
By the way, it is recommended by the experts for you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Every 3 to 4 months or as soon as the bristles are frayed, consider replacing your toothbrush.
Opting for the Right Toothpaste
When shopping for toothpaste, don’t just grab the first one you spot. Dentists say that you should go for one that is capable of remineralizing your pearly whites. The right one for the job is something that contains fluoride — this mineral is very good at strengthening weakened tooth enamel.
It is also a good idea for you to use a mouthwash with fluoride in it. Want to ensure that your tooth enamel is really out of harm’s way? Pair the use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash with regular flossing!
Chewing Gum That’s Free of Sugar
Brushing your teeth, flossing and using your favorite mouthwash are not possible all the time. So what can you do to make sure that no particle of the food you just ate (especially one that’s sugary) stays on your teeth and potentially cause problems? Chew sugar-free gum, dental experts say.
Popping sugar-free gum in your mouth helps increase the production of saliva. This is a good thing as your saliva is capable of washing off food particles and bacteria. Plus it actually has tooth strengthening properties!
Avoiding Sugary Foods
Consuming anything that is loaded with sugar is a complete no-no if you want to keep your tooth enamel strong. Otherwise, a diet that’s high in sugar will harbor acid-forming bacteria. It’s also a good idea for you to limit your intake of starchy foods — starch is just a complex form of sugar.
As you avoid sugary and starchy foods, add more of those that are rich in calcium to your diet. Also, consume more fibrous fruits and vegetables as they help keep your teeth clean and white, too.
The above are some of the habits that can help keep your tooth enamel strong. Don’t forget to pay your dentist a visit every 6 months to help ensure that your pearly whites are out of harm’s way.
