What is tooth enamel? The problem of weak enamel and how to fix it

Enamel is the outer coating of teeth, which is considered a protective layer of teeth from harmful agents. If the enamel is weak, it is a condition for external factors to penetrate and harm the teeth. Therefore, learning what enamel is not only helps you better understand dental knowledge but also helps you have a comprehensive way to care and protect your teeth.

Enamel is one of the important factors determining healthy teeth. Although it is just a coating on the outside of the teeth, if the enamel is weak, it will lead to a lot of disadvantages for the teeth, not only creating conditions for harmful factors to affect but also making the teeth sensitive. However, many people still do not know what enamel is and do not know how to fix and protect when enamel is weak. To learn more, follow this article. 

What is tooth enamel?

Enamel is the outermost layer and covers the entire tooth. It is also the hardest component in the human body. The job of enamel is to color the teeth, making them stronger. Not only that, enamel is also responsible for protecting dentin and pulp. Enamel is pale yellow, grayish-white, sometimes bluish at the edges of the teeth.

Tooth enamel contains the highest mineral content in the human body. Up to 96% of mineral salts are contained in this enamel layer. The rest of the enamel contains only a small amount of organic matter and water. Tooth enamel is an arrangement of long thin calcium phosphate crystals. This layer of enamel is hard, so it is very broken or rubbed. However, this enamel layer will gradually erode over time in an acidic environment. If the enamel is worn down, weakened, there is no way to regenerate it. 

What is tooth enamel?

The thickness of the enamel at the positions of the teeth is not uniform. The thickest position at the tip of the tooth with 2.5mm, while the position with the thinnest enamel layer is in the neck area. The thickness of this enamel layer is more or less influenced by genetic factors. Therefore, if parents have unhealthy enamel, they will also pass on the same enamel properties to their children. This makes children have weak enamel, thinner than other children.

We can eat and chew comfortably with hard, chewy, or hot and cold foods thanks to this enamel layer. In addition, enamel also protects teeth comprehensively, protecting dentin and pulp from microbial attack, temperature and external force. 

Causes of weak tooth enamel

Tooth enamel is weak due to many factors, including external and internal causes:

Due to external factors

• Not cleaning and taking care of teeth regularly and properly. This creates conditions for bacteria, plaque to accumulate, destroy tooth enamel, gradually eroding tooth enamel over time.
• Using the wrong brush, too hard bristles or brushing your teeth the wrong way, using too much force can cause enamel and neck wear.
• Habit or habit of grinding teeth is also the cause of chipped teeth or other mechanical effects also cause enamel to wear down and weaken. 
• Improper nutrition, often adding too many foods containing acids, sugars and carbohydrates in the diet is not only not good for health but also negatively affects oral health.

Due to internal factors

• Poorly functioning salivary glands lead to less saliva, causing dry mouth or acid secretions that make the mouth dry, which is also a factor that weakens tooth enamel. 
• Having a number of diseases related to the teeth such as periodontitis , tooth decay, ... create conditions for bacteria to attack the enamel and gradually damage the enamel.
• Having some diseases of the digestive tract such as gastroesophageal reflux disease , calcium deficiency disease, lack of nutrients, malnutrition, ... is also one of the causes of weak tooth enamel.

Signs of weak tooth enamel 

To identify weak enamel that has a way to fix it, you can observe some of the following signs: 

There are milky white spots on the teeth

Plaque accumulates on teeth, creating conditions for bacteria to attack and convert to acid. From there, the substance in the enamel is reversed causing white spots on the tooth surface. If these milky white spots are observed, you should go to the dentist for treatment because if left untreated, bacteria will create white spots that become more and more serious. In the long term, it causes diseases such as tooth decay, gum damage or tissue inflammation. 

Toothache 

Weak enamel makes teeth very sensitive, causing teeth to appear sensitive and painful depending on the level. This condition can be caused by oral diseases affecting tooth enamel or by improper dental care, creating conditions for bacteria to attack. There are cases where tooth enamel is damaged due to impact or accident. At this time, the dentin is exposed, causing irritation when eating and drinking, which leads to pain, sensitivity and discomfort.

Teeth falling out when eating hard food

When chewing hard foods, it is easy to wear and thin tooth enamel. At this time, the outer tooth coating will be peeled off, a sign that the enamel is damaged and weakened. Even a slight impact can cause serious damage to the tooth.

Signs of weak tooth enamel

How to fix weak tooth enamel?

To avoid weakening tooth enamel and keep your teeth healthy, apply some ways to overcome weak enamel below:

Avoid foods that demineralize tooth enamel

Fermented carbohydrates found in most candies, cookies, soft drinks, breads, crackers, bananas, and many sugary breakfast cereals, when exposed to bacteria in the mouth, form harmful acids. These acids cause the enamel structure of the teeth to break down. This is called demineralization because the acids cause the natural minerals inside the enamel to corrode.

If you regularly add sugary foods, candies, and soft drinks over time, it can demineralize your enamel and make it worse if you don't brush your teeth properly. Because the sugar and acid produced by these foods will stick to the teeth after eating if not cleaned. 

How to fix weak enamel - Limit eating foods that demineralize tooth enamel

Add mineral supplements 

This is the simplest way to help overcome and prevent weak enamel while helping to strengthen and protect teeth. Therefore, it is recommended to combine the use of products containing fluoride, if you do not know, you can consult your doctor / pharmacist about products containing fluoride: Toothpaste, mouthwash, drinking water or pressure Use some fluoride treatment, or remineralize your teeth. 

Proper oral hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is a solution to help clean teeth, remove bacteria, and prevent oral diseases. 

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush .
• When brushing, place the brush at a 45-degree angle, brush from left to right, from top to bottom. Move the brush with short and decisive distances.
• Brush your teeth for 2 minutes/time to thoroughly clean the oral cavity.
• Clean the entire oral cavity, including the tongue to remove disease-causing bacteria.

Build a healthy diet

Diet is also very important in improving and promoting oral health. To prevent weak and worn tooth enamel, it is necessary to build a reasonable diet. 

Some foods help remineralize teeth such as green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, foods high in protein, low-fat dairy products. In particular, cheese and celery are two foods that will inhibit the demineralization process on the teeth, increase salivation, and maintain a suitable pH for the oral cavity. 

Dental treatment

It is recommended to have regular dental check-ups at the dentist every 3-6 months to overcome some conditions, diseases of teeth, enamel. If the tooth enamel is severely damaged and cannot be repaired, the doctor will suggest a treatment and improve the aesthetic of dental restorations by filling teeth or porcelain veneers. 

With the information in the article, help people understand what enamel is , the causes of weak enamel as well as how to overcome weak enamel. If you are having problems with your teeth, quickly go to the dentist for examination and treatment.