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What Is Tooth Enamel?

What Is Tooth Enamel?
Laughlin Dental
Hello, Pasadena! At Laughlin Dental, we're not just about teeth. We're about building lasting relationships with every patient who walks through our doors. Led by Dr. Lloyd Laughlin, our practice is dedicated to providing judgment-free, quality dental care that's accessible to everyone.
BY Laughlin Dental

Your mouth plays a major role in your overall health. Without your mouth, you would be unable to eat, drink, or speak. One key component that keeps your teeth healthy and functioning is tooth enamel. But what is tooth enamel and what specific role does it play?

What Is Tooth Enamel?

So what is tooth enamel? Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body. It’s also the most mineralized part of your body, with even more mineralization than bone. Your enamel covers each tooth’s outer layer almost transparently. The semi-translucence of your enamel lets your underlying tooth color show.

In terms of protecting your teeth, what is tooth enamel made of? Your enamel contains minerals you hear little about, such as hydroxyapatite. This hard layer protects your teeth from decay. Caring for your teeth by daily brushings, flossing, and rinses can help keep your enamel strong. This care helps keep your enamel from wearing down due to destructive acids and plaque.

Enamel also keeps foods and drinks from hurting your sensitive tooth nerves. Very hot or cold drinks would be too painful to consume if your enamel did not exist. This is why you feel some sensitivity on your teeth, as pores forming in your enamel allow hot or cold to reach more sensitive inner tooth layers.

Once your enamel breaks down, your body does not rebuild or replace it. Enamel is not like bones or other parts of your body that contain living cells. You must protect it, so it can protect you.

How Do You Protect Your Tooth Enamel?

The best means of protecting your tooth enamel is to avoid sugary and acidic foods or beverages. These sugary, acidic substances stick to your teeth, leading bacteria to produce lactic acid, and thereby damaging your tooth enamel. When you do consume highly acidic or sugary foods or beverages, you need to brush your teeth well as follow-up care.

You should also avoid very hard foods, such as ice cubes, popcorn kernels, and hard candy. This damages your tooth enamel by causing it to chip or crack.

Always remember that you need to protect your tooth enamel so it can protect you. Take care of it and the rest of your teeth by brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once daily and use a quality oral rinse to disinfect and prevent oral health problems. Also, see your dentist twice yearly for preventive care and treatment.

Dental Services You Need for Healthy Enamel and Strong Teeth

So what do you need concerning dental health services in Pasadena TX? To keep your teeth and their enamel healthy, bright and strong, you need a broad range of services, treatments, and procedures. These dental services include:

  • Family dentistry
  • SureSmile
  • Custom Veneers
  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Preventive dentistry
  • Restorative dentistry