All About Enamel | Ardas Family Dental
In case you didn’t realize it, your teeth are very strong! That’s because they’re protected by an outer shell of the hardest and strongest substance in the human body—enamel.
Let’s take a look at what teeth are made of and what makes enamel such tough stuff!
What are teeth made of?
Sometimes people will say that teeth are made out of enamel. But that’s not quite right. Enamel is only one part of a normal, healthy tooth.
Each tooth has layers, a bit like a peach:
The inner core of each tooth is a soft pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels that extend into the roots of the tooth.
The middle layer of the tooth is made up dentin, a hard calcified material that surrounds the delicate pulp.
The outer layer of the tooth is a thin layer of enamel. Enamel is a substance that’s unique to teeth and is what makes teeth so tough.
What is enamel?
Enamel in short is a mineral covering of the teeth. It’s believed to be so strong because of its unique tight crystal structure.
Tooth enamel is designed by nature to be strong enough to last a lifetime. However, unlike bones and skin, tooth enamel can’t regenerate. So it’s important to take good care of it!
What can damage enamel?
Your tooth enamel is incredibly strong, but it’s not invincible. Teeth can be damaged and broken by impact—and enamel is also vulnerable to damage done by erosion. Common causes of enamel erosion include:
- Excessive consumption of sugary or acidic drinks
- A diet generally high in sugar or starches
- Chronic health conditions like dry mouth or acid reflux
- Long-term use of various medications including aspirin and antihistamines
- Friction or wear and tear from grinding teeth or chewing on hard objects
- Genetic factors
Luckily, many of these sources of erosion can be combated with good dental hygiene or adjustment of habits!
Tooth enamel is some strong stuff, but it’s not completely invincible. That’s why it’s important to keep up with regular dental hygiene habits and routine dental appointments! Visit the Ardas Family Dental website to request your next appointment and learn more about our services today.