To clean your driveway, you rent a powerwasher. To refinish an old table, sandpaper. But your teeth are not made of cement or mahogany. So why take something abrasive to your pearly whites?
Lose the stiff bristles, keep your enamel!
Destination Dental wants to equip you with all of the right tools to keep your teeth white and your gums healthy. It might feel satisfying to take a hard-bristle toothbrush to your teeth and brush away your day, but when you use a hard bristle brush you scrub away way more than just your lunch and dinner. When you use a toothbrush with hard bristles you scratch and scrape away your enamel and endanger your gums. We’re breaking down how enamel-loss can affect you, and what you can change today to set your teeth up for success. Cheap adjustments today can prevent larger costs to fix your teeth later!
What is enamel, and why do I care about it?
Enamel protects the inner layers of teeth from being damaged by natural dietary acids, and acids we love like coffee. Since tooth enamel isn’t comprised of living cells, it can’t regrow once it’s gone. That means it should be of the upmost importance to your smile to protect it.
Stiff bristles can lead to:
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- Loss of enamel
- Enamel erosion is the most common reason for lack of enamel. It occurs when the enamel is worn away due to damage from acid, chemicals, or abrasions and injury. A loss of enamel can lead to yellowing teeth. If you would like to whiten your smile today, visit our teeth whitening page.
- Sensitive teeth
- A breakdown of enamel means a breakdown in protection. Ever complain about ice cream hurting your teeth, or hot cocoa stinging all the way down to your jaw bone? At least 40 million adults suffer from sensitive teeth in the United States, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.
- Receding gums
- Receding gums becomes a health concern when the roots of the teeth become exposed, leaving the teeth at risk of decay, infection, and loss. Receding gums is a common condition, but people often do not realize their gums are receding until a late stage in the process.
- Loss of enamel
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ online!
Protect your enamel from plaque!
Plaque is a sticky film made up of saliva, food particles, bacteria, and other substances. Plaque forms between your teeth and gets inside tiny holes or pits in the molars. Sometimes the bacteria in plaque changes food starches into acids. When this happens, the acids in plaque start to eat away at the healthy minerals in the tooth enamel. This causes the enamel to wear down and become pitted. Over time, the pits in the enamel increase and grow in size.
Easy ways to prevent enamel loss:
Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks from your diet (such as carbonated soda and coffee)
- If you must drink acidic beverages, use a straw and rinse your mouth with water after you’re through
- Chew sugar-free gum before meals; gum produces saliva, which protects your teeth
- Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush
- Ask your dentist if sealants may be helpful in preventing enamel erosion and tooth decay. Send us a message today if you have concerns about your dental health