8 Ways to Maintain & Strengthen Your Teeth Enamel

Simple ways to keep your teeth healthy and strong for longer By Dr Chintamani Pant

The surface of your teeth is known as enamel. It is a layer of thin, hard material that protects, maintains and strengthens your teeth. It is essential to take proper care of your enamel because once it’s damaged, it cannot be restored. However, sometimes it is possible to restore worn out enamel partially and by using certain toothpaste and mouthwash one can maintain the remineralised process. 

Here are eight simple ways to protect your enamel from damaging

1. Over brushing is bad – How you brush your teeth matters. Oftentimes people believe brushing fast and hard cleans their teeth better but it’s the other way round. When you brush fast and hard you erode the enamel of your teeth. Instead use a soft bristle brush and brush in a gentle motion.

2. Citrus fruits soften your enamel – To prevent your enamel from damaging you should wait for an hour or so after eating sweets or citrus fruits. Acid-creating foods are known to easily damage your teeth enamel as these foods play a big role in soften your enamel. Hence brush your teeth after an hour of consuming such foods.

3. Rinse your mouth after meals – Rinsing your mouth after meals with water or antibacterial rinse helps prevent tooth decay and gum problems. When you rinse your mouth it naturally neutralises acid and washes away bacteria.

4. Tackle dry mouth – Acidic foods encourage cavity and weakens enamel. It is essential to drink plenty of water to keep your mouth clean and moist to prevent it from dental issues. However, if you are suffering from dry mouth, you need to consult your doctor. 

5. Avoid Sugary foods/drinks – Sugary foods/drinks feed the bacteria in your mouth and leads to increased risk of tooth decay. It produces acids which can soften and erode your enamel. Sugary gum can cause damage to your teeth. Hence it would be a good idea to limit sugary drinks.

6. Make smart food choices – A well-balanced nutritious meal is essential for healthy gums and teeth. It should consist of nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and dairy products. When you consume a nutritious meal, it provides all the nutrients for required to strengthen your teeth enamel.

7. Avoid grinding your teeth – Grinding your teeth is harmful but there are ways to avoid and protect your enamel. Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. If you grind your teeth, especially at night speak to you dentist who may suggest a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

8. Dental check-up every six months – It is recommended that one must visit a dentist every six months. This will save you from all the dental discomfort. The benefits of visiting a dentist half-yearly will help you spot any dental problems before it gets worse. 

To have a confident smile it is essential to take good care of your teeth and gums. Small changes in your day-to-day routine can help you save your tooth enamel from damaging further.