What is tooth enamel damage? How do we protect dental health in everyday life?
Enamel is "protective film" on surface of teeth. It is a bit like an eggshell and protects "soft" part of tooth. Enamel is very hard and plays an important role in chewing process. food.
It is important to understand dental health and know how to protect our dental health!
Dental health problems1. Teeth discoloration
The enamel may appear white, but it is obvious that light can be reflected through it. The layer below dentin is shown. This is why teeth look light or dark.
Over time, foods like coffee, tea, alcohol, and cigarettes can make outer layer of your teeth look dull, yellow, or grey.
2. Tooth wear
Despite fact that tooth enamel is hard, it can be worn away, broken, and acids from everyday life from various foods and bacteria eat into it, which leads to corrosion and caries. Enamel can also be cut or cracked, and unlike bone, enamel cannot grow on its own.
3. Caries and tooth sensitivity
What happens when tooth enamel is damaged? The inner layer is exposed and begins to decompose. Caries is not the only problem.
Teeth with damaged enamel react to intense heat or cold, showing "sensitivity" to irritating foods. Eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee can be painful or at least unpleasant.
What are causes of enamel/teeth damage?
1. Bacteria destroy tooth enamel
After eating, bacteria in mouth eat sugar in sweets and starches. This causes acid to damage enamel while bacteria build up and cause gum disease, also called gingivitis. The acids in sodas, juices, and drinks are also harmful, and over time, they can cause further tooth erosion, which can eventually lead to tooth damage due to chemical abrasion.
2. Problems with nutrition and digestion
Some health conditions can also damage tooth enamel. For example, in patients with prolonged acid reflux and vomiting, stomach acid can "reflux" into esophagus and mouth, and acidity of gastric juice is very strong, teeth are also affected by this strong acid. by pressure.
3. Dry mouth
Saliva causes acids in your mouth to eat away at your teeth. Its presence contributes to preservation of tooth enamel.
If your dry mouth is caused by a side effect of a medication or medical condition, acid may last longer. will do more harm.
4. Teeth grinding
Another cause of damage to tooth enamel is teeth grinding. Over time, constant pinching and friction can wear down or erode tooth enamel. Molars wear down upper and lower front teeth.
Bruxism most often occurs during sleep, when you have no control over it. Reducing stress can help. Some people go to bed in special mouthguards.
5. Teeth are not corkscrews!
Do not open container with your teeth. Many people are used to or like to open wine bottles with their teeth, in fact it is very dangerous, and damage to teeth is also very large, if it is small, it will damage enamel and may cause problems. such as a broken tooth, and even lead to cracked/fragmented teeth, falls and other serious consequences. So try not to use your teeth to ask for "hard" objects or food, including lollipops, ice cubes, etc., let alone "open beer bottles, bite pens" and so on.
6. Erosion of enamel in children
Enamel erosion is on rise, especially in children, many experts say. Why? Some say that today's children drink too many acidic drinks and carbonated drinks. Switching to bottled water can also be part of problem. People use less tap water, which means kids can drink less fluoride. Try to keep your child's daily drink plain water, and try to stay away from different types of drinks, especially "sour drinks".
How to protect your dental health?1. Brush your teeth on time and according to standard
There are simple things you can do to protect your teeth, like brushing them.
Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, brush your teeth for 3 minutes in morning and before going to bed in evening. Brushing your teeth after eating and drinking, using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, or fluoridated mouthwash may also help. You can also drink some milk or a piece of cheese after your meal to get rid of acid. Love chewing gum? This also works. After eating, chew sugar-free gum with xylitol to increase salivation—another way to prevent acid damage.
2. Use floss and mouthwash wisely
Floss your teeth, not with a toothpick. Light brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing too hard can damage tooth enamel. Also use a mouthwash, and choose one that contains antibacterial agents and fluoride, which will not only freshen your breath, but also help your tooth enamel. Follow instructions when using teeth whitening products. They can also be harmful to your teeth if you use them incorrectly or too often.
3. Diet
Reduce your consumption of "sour drinks" to avoid excessive amounts of acidic substances that damage our teeth; try not to eat "annoying" foods such as too sour fruits (sour apples, sour berries, etc.), too spicy/too spicy hot soups (hot pot, mala tan, etc.), hard foods (e.g. hard candies, crushed walnuts, etc.), drinks that are too cold (e.g. ice water, etc.).
I'm "Popular Science and Health Every Day". This article is a scientific popularization of knowledge about health. I hope you like it or comment on it under comments! If there are bugs or areas that need improvement, please point out and critique! Thank you!
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