What gives hardness to tooth enamel?

Enamel hardness teeth

Dental enamel is the tissue that gives teeth their hardness. It is a thin layer that covers each of the dental pieces, providing protection against all types of external aggressions.

Over time, tooth enamel can wear down. Like other tissues, it offers some degree of repair. However, at a certain critical point, there are times when we cannot repair the damaged tissue on the teeth and they lose their natural protection.

Why is it so important to take care of tooth enamel?How can we maintain the hardness of our teeth to keep them healthy for as long as possible? We provide you with the best tips so that you can put them into practice by taking care of your oral health on a daily basis.

What is tooth enamel hardness?

The hardness of the dental enamel makes it possible for the teeth to fulfill their functions, which are mainly mechanical. Some of them are cutting, grinding and chewing food, participating in the digestion process.

In the diet we can find all kinds of foods, from the softest and smoothest to the hardest that offer great resistance during chewing. Because of their function, teeth are at risk of suffering breakage or abrasions that gradually damage their structure.

The hardness of teeth makes them resistant to the action of bacteria found in the oral cavity. These bacteria feed on food debris left in the mouth, releasing acids that gradually wear down and attack the tooth enamel.

A strong, thick and undamaged enamel is the best protection our teeth have against dental caries. If we do not take care of it, bacteria could gain access to the inside of the teeth, to the dentin and pulp, causing an infection that can lead to tooth loss.

What substances help to harden teeth?

Dental enamel is a translucent tissue that lacks nerve endings. That is, it has no color, nor is it sensitive to external factors.

Just below the enamel layer is the dentin, which gives the tooth its white color. Replete with small tubules, it connects directly to the dental pulp, a soft tissue containing nerve endings and capillary tissues.

In order for the enamel to serve as a protective shield for the delicate internal tissues of the teeth, it is composed of hard minerals. One of these is hydroxyapatite, the hardest tissue in the human body, second only to bone tissue.

Hydroxyapatite is composed, in turn, of calcium and phosphate minerals in a very specific proportion. In general, the enamel layer is between 2 and 3 mm thick, although over time it may lose thickness due to abrasion, or even break.

Why take care of tooth enamel?

The main function of tooth enamel is to provide protection. This very hard tissue acts as a protective barrier against external agents that can cause problems in the teeth.

When tooth enamel is worn away, lost or thinned, it can lead to oral conditions such as tooth sensitivity, tooth decay or even tooth breakage and complete loss of teeth.

In fact, one of the main problems affecting more and more young people is the increase in tooth sensitivity. tooth sensitivity. Although there are specific dental products to treat it, the best solution is always prevention.

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Tips for maintaining and increasing the hardness of teeth

How is it possible to maintain the hardness of teeth on a daily basis? There are some recommendations that are very easy to put into practice to provide maximum protection of tooth enamel:

Oral hygiene

The first and most important is to ensure complete oral hygiene on a daily basis. By brushing our teeth after every meal, as well as using specific products and accessories for enamel care, we prevent the action of oral bacteria that form dental biofilm and the appearance of caries.

Use of soft bristle toothbrush

Similarly, in order to avoid abrasion of tooth enamel, choose a toothbrush with soft bristles or medium hardness. Consult your dentist for the best brushing technique to remove all food debris without damaging your teeth and gums.

Use of toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride

The fluoride is a mineral that acts from the outside increasing the hardness of the enamel. It also remineralizes the enamel that is being lost naturally and acts against the development of bacteria. Do not hesitate, use toothpaste and mouthwashes containing the right amount of fluoride.

If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, within the line of SensiKIN you will find specific products to treat the symptoms and improve the condition of your teeth and gums. In addition, KIN tells you which is the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth that cares for and protects the enamel.

Healthy and balanced diet

While there are minerals that act from the outside to improve the hardness capacity of teeth, through diet we can provide other nutrients that perform a similar function from the inside. Make sure you maintain a healthy diet rich in all the nutrients your teeth need.

Avoiding bad habits

Keep bad habits at bay, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption. To this we must add foods rich in sugars, acidic foods and carbonated beverages that negatively affect the integrity of the enamel.

In addition to aggressive tooth brushing, the hardness of the teeth is affected by undesirable actions such as biting hard objects, suffering from constant impacts on the teeth, progressive wear due to bruxism or teeth grinding.

Dental checkups

Don't forget to have regular check-ups with your dentist. An early diagnosis helps detect minor tooth damage that may intensify over time. Follow your dentist's recommendations to maintain the hardness of your teeth in a natural way, taking care of them so that the enamel can protect your teeth.

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