What NOT To Do To Your Teeth
Do you know the strongest substance in your body? You may be surprised to learn that it is your tooth enamel. Your tooth enamel is even stronger than your bones and is designed to protect the inside of your tooth. It makes perfect sense when you think about it, since your teeth are used constantly every day to chew your food. Although your tooth enamel is strong, it is not indestructible and can be damaged more easily than you may think. Continue reading to learn what can damage your tooth enamel.
What Can Damage Tooth Enamel?
Although strong, tooth enamel can easily become damaged if it has not been cared for properly. Not only do we eat constantly, contributing to wear and tear, but tooth enamel is also exposed to the elements and is frequently in harm’s way. Here are some things that can damage your tooth enamel:
Cleaning Your Teeth Incorrectly
If you are not properly brushing and flossing your teeth during your oral hygiene routine, you are leaving behind bacteria that can cause damage to your tooth enamel. When food and bacteria linger on your teeth, it will eventually begin to wear away the enamel, and you will be left with decay.
Clenching and Grinding Your Teeth
It is not uncommon for patients who are dealing with stress to clench and grind their teeth. In fact, many patients do this while sleeping and are unaware. Clenching and grinding can wear away at enamel, eventually leading to cracking or breaking.
Eating the Wrong Foods
Sugary and highly acidic foods can also cause damage to the enamel of your teeth. Although some acidic foods are healthy for your body, such as berries, apples, and citrus fruits, we recommend brushing after eating them to keep the acid they contain from damaging your teeth.
If you feel your tooth enamel may be compromised or damaged, be sure to contact our office located in Houston, TX. We want to evaluate the state of your teeth as soon as possible to make any repairs. Delaying treatment can lead to more serious treatments such as a root canal or even tooth extraction. We want to avoid that at all costs, so we recommend being diligent with scheduling an appointment.
