By: Nketia Anthony (MPH. Health Education and Promotion, BSc. Herbal Medicine)

Good dental and oral health is an essential part of a person’s overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, which in the long run can also result in serious health conditions such as heart disease and cancers.

Irrefutably, the enamel is deemed an integral part of the tooth and hence needs to be considered in the discourse of ensuring good dental hygiene. Serving as the hardest tissue in the human body, the enamel facilitates the teeth in functions as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. It also protects the inner layers of the tooth from everyday foods and drinks that can cause sensitivity and cavity problems.

Healthy and strong enamel is often white in color and less prone to acid erosion, which exposes the yellow dentin underneath.

Even though enamel is a hard substance, it is susceptible to degradation and erosion especially by acids from food and drink, and once the enamel gets eroded or damaged, it cannot be regenerated. When enamel erodes, the tooth is more susceptible to cavities or tooth decay which can affect the tiny nerve fibers, resulting in an extremely painful abscess or infection.

Knowledge about how the enamel gets eroded or damaged is very significant to protecting and keeping it strong at all times. It is noteworthy that sugars and acids from candies, soft drinks, and fruit juices serve as the major players in the process of enamel destruction.

A diet high in sugar creates conditions in which acid-producing bacteria can flourish. When sucrose, the most common of sugars, coats the surface of the mouth, some intraoral bacteria interact with it and form lactic acid, which decreases the pH in the mouth. Eventually, as acids in the mouth reach the critical pH for tooth enamel (pH 5.5), the hydroxyapatite crystals of enamel demineralize, allowing for greater bacterial invasion deeper into the tooth. Over time, this can lead to permanent damage to the tooth.

Moreover, dry mouth or low saliva flow, disease condition like Acid reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn, and use of certain medications like aspirin and vitamin C can have destructive effect on the enamel. Acid reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn brings stomach acids up to the mouth, where they can damage enamel.

It is exceedingly important to always protect the integrity of the enamel due to its relevance in the body. The practices below can help prevent enamel damage as well as enhance dental and oral hygiene.

Decrease intake of sugary foods
Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables
Avoid smoking and tobacco products
Drink enough water throughout the day
Use a straw when drinking acidic drinks.
Rinse your mouth with water immediately after taking acidic foods or drinks.
Floss your teeth at least once a day.
Brush your teeth regularly and appropriately.
Before going to bed.
With a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush. Try not to brush too hard.
Wait at least an hour to brush after you’ve had acidic foods or drinks. Acidic foods and drinks soften the enamel rendering it more vulnerable to damage from your toothbrush.
See a dentist at least once a year for routine dental and oral check-up.

**Always opt for a healthy lifestyle, you are the custodian of your own health and well-being**

References

Healthline. 2019. Everything you need to know about dental and oral health. [Online]. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health#facts. Accessed on: 04/05/2021.

Sensodyne. 2020. Ways to strengthen and protect tooth enamel. [Online]. Available at: https://www.sensodyne.com/en-gb/pronamel/about-enamel/. Accessed on: 04/05/2021.

WebMD. 2020. Tooth enamel erosion and restoration. [Online]. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration. Accessed on: 04/05/2021.