According to one of the most experienced dentists in Honolulu, HI,  Stephanie ML Wong DMD Inc., taking care of your tooth enamel is a vital part of personal dental hygiene. Tooth enamel is the hard shell that protects your teeth, and even though it's the hardest substance in the body, bacteria and constant exposure to acid can erode it.

As tough as enamel is, it can crack or chip if food or something hard (such as a hard candy) gets in between your teeth. Once the enamel is chipped or broken, you might feel discomfort when you eat something sweet, hot, or cold. In order to prevent this, follow these steps to protect your enamel:

1. Use a toothpaste with fluoride. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that fluoride helps fight the first signs of tooth decay. It can also strengthen your enamel to resist acids that might wear it down.
2. Eat foods that are rich in calcium. Calcium can help strengthen your bones and tooth enamel. Plus, it helps to neutralize any acids that might erode enamel.
3. Don't over-brush. Brushing too often or forcefully can wear down your enamel. It's also good to wait one hour before eating foods containing acid (like citrus) or sweet items before brushing your teeth.
4. Avoid or reduce your consumption of sweets. This includes soft drinks and sticky candy that could get stuck in between your teeth.

These four steps and regular visits to Stephanie ML Wong DMD Inc will help you keep your pearly whites in perfectly healthy condition. To ask about her practice's other services including Invisalign and root canal treatment or to book an appointment, call (808) 732-3072 or visit the website.