{"id":103,"date":"2019-06-15T19:46:55","date_gmt":"2019-06-15T19:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harrisonburgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=103"},"modified":"2019-07-15T19:47:02","modified_gmt":"2019-07-15T19:47:02","slug":"tooth-enamel-preservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harrisonburgsmiles.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/15\/tooth-enamel-preservation\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Tooth Enamel, and Why is it So Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ProtectingWhen it comes to taking care of your oral health, it\u2019s important to understand exactly what your dentist means when they use certain terms. You\u2019ve probably heard the term \u201ctooth enamel\u201d before, but do you know exactly what it is? Or why it\u2019s so important to protect it? Here\u2019s what you need to know about enamel and how you can use that knowledge to take better care of your teeth.<\/p>\n

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What is Tooth Enamel?<\/h2>\n

The enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth and is the hardest tissue in the body. It can be light yellow or grayish white, but it\u2019s semi-translucent (meaning light can be seen through it), so it only partially affects the appearance of your teeth.<\/p>\n

What Does Enamel Do?<\/h2>\n

Enamel protects the teeth from the physical damage of daily chewing and biting; it also shields the sensitive inner layers from food or beverages that are too hot or too cold.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the enamel is the tooth\u2019s first line of defense against a potential infection. Your mouth is filled with bacteria that secrete acid when they consume sugar; if the acid eats through the enamel, the bacteria will gain access to the pulp, causing toothaches and other health issues.<\/p>\n

Why is it So Important to Protect My Enamel?<\/h2>\n

The acids from bacteria and other foods can eat away at the outer layer of your teeth over time; it can also be worn down through grinding or abrasion. Unfortunately, unlike bones, enamel tissue doesn\u2019t contain living cells, so it can\u2019t repair itself when damaged.<\/p>\n

Under normal circumstances, your saliva can help neutralize acids in the mouth and provides minerals that can help keep the enamel strong. However, if you consume acidic foods and drinks too often, this process won\u2019t occur. The result will be cavities that can only be repaired by a dentist.<\/p>\n

How Can I Protect My Enamel?<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, there are many ways to help preserve tooth enamel for as long as possible:<\/p>\n