Enamel helps ensure dental health. It’s affected by numerous things, including teeth cleaning routines and diet, so learning how to take care of it improves your oral health. Below is a guide with all you need to know to maintain healthy enamel.

What Is Dental Enamel?

Enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. It protects the inner portions, including the dentin and pulp, from decay.

Enamel naturally wears down with age, but it can also be damaged and eroded by other factors. Using a tough-bristled toothbrush, chewing on pens, biting ice, grinding your teeth, using your mouth to open packaging, and brushing aggressively can scratch it.

A high level of acids in your diet, including those from citrus fruits, sodas, tomato sauce, and juices, can also soften and weaken enamel. Excessive consumption of sugars and starches pose risks, too, because they feed oral bacteria that excrete acids that cause decay.

How Can You Protect It?

Eroded enamel can cause sensitivity, staining, and cavities. While dental care treatments, including fillings and veneers, address those issues, it’s best to prevent excessive enamel wear for a healthy, beautiful smile. 

Limit the amount of sugars, starches, and acids that you consume. Adults should eat only 6 to 9 teaspoons of added sugars a day. Try to avoid snacking in between meals, as each time you eat, bacteria sit on the teeth.

Brush as often as possible after eating using a soft-bristled toothbrush. See your dentist biannually for professional teeth cleanings, which remove plaque and bacteria to protect your enamel and detect early signs of cavities.

To care for your smile, get professional teeth cleanings from the experienced team at Magnolia Dental in Waynesboro, VA. For over 40 years, they’ve provided comprehensive dental care for people of all ages, including block scheduling to help all members of your family. With an emphasis on oral hygiene, they’re always happy to advise patients on preventive measures to stave off oral health problems before they even start. Learn more about their services online, and call (540) 943-2723 to schedule an appointment.