Tooth enamel is the strongest mineral structure in the human body. The transparent film that covers the teeth of a person provides protection and withstands enormous loads when chewing food. Enamel health primarily depends on the lifestyle and nutrition of a person, as well as on age-related changes in the body.
The main role of enamel
Every day, tooth enamel is exposed to adverse external factors. Temperature extremes, acidity, bacteria, improper dental care - all this does not pass without a trace for a protective coating.
It is a transparent film, which in its composition is more than 90% composed of minerals containing phosphorus and calcium.
If the tooth enamel is damaged, this can lead to unpleasant consequences, for example, the development of dental caries. It is important to understand that the protective coating of teeth is not restored on its own, unlike other body tissues. Artificial methods will have to be used to treat and strengthen tooth enamel.
So, the main task of enamel is to protect the pulp and dentin from external stimuli of a mechanical, chemical and thermal nature.
What contributes to the destruction of enamel
The main harmful factors that can destroy tooth enamel enter the body with food, environmental influences, bad habits.
The main reasons for the destruction of the protective layer of the tooth:
- Bad habits that are quite common in everyday life (chewing matches, biting pens for writing, biting threads, eating seeds with shells).
- Excessive consumption of too acidic food, eating sweets and drinking water without proper cleaning.
- Smoking adversely affects not only the color of tooth enamel, but also its strength.
- An improper diet, against which a shortage of trace elements and vitamins occurs in the body, which affects the properties of enamel.
- Incorrect oral hygiene, which includes the wrong choice of a toothbrush, ignoring the use of other available means (dental floss, rinsing for the oral cavity).
- Failure of the gastrointestinal tract, which directly affects the composition of human saliva, which constantly affects the tooth enamel.
- Failure of the thyroid gland, which primarily affects the metabolism in the body, which means that it will affect the protective coating of the teeth.
- Untimely removal of plaque and tartar significantly weakens dental protection.
Experts agree that it is easier to take measures to prevent the destruction of enamel than to restore the damaged coating.
Unfortunately, in cases with a hereditary predisposition to fine tooth enamel, it is impossible to affect its condition, it remains only to carefully monitor its condition and take the necessary measures in time.
Why is it important to start enamel recovery on time
Leaving the problem of enamel destruction without the necessary medical attention, you can get a number of rather unpleasant consequences. Strengthening tooth enamel is an essential aspect of oral health.
Initially, plaque begins to form on the surface of the tooth, which leads to the formation of stone. With such a development of the situation, it is necessary to seek the help of a dentist and carry out professional cleaning of teeth and oral cavity.
Long-term destruction, in the absence of proper treatment, leads to the development of caries and erosion of tooth enamel. This inevitably entails a visit to the doctor, lengthy and not the most pleasant treatment procedures and spending quite impressive amounts on recovery.
Methods of restoration of tooth enamel
Methods of restoration and treatment of enamel are divided into two types:
- using medicinal products;
- using tools and materials for external restoration.
But it is important to understand that the first type is most often effective as a prophylaxis or treatment of erosion of tooth enamel and caries at an early stage.
It is quite simple to detect the problem, most likely, the person will begin to be accompanied by unpleasant sensations when eating cold, hot, sour or sweet food. Pain will not allow you to enjoy a meal.
Methods using tools and materials for tooth restoration are used for severe destruction of tooth enamel. Among these methods, the following are distinguished:
- filling;
- fluoridation;
- implantation;
- remineralization;
- composite restoration;
- ceramic veneers.
Each method has its own characteristics and indications for use. It is impossible to return the destroyed enamel, and modern dentistry allows replacing artificial material. In most cases, this gives a person confidence in his smile.
At the first signs of a problem with tooth enamel, you should not hesitate, a competent dentist will be able to stop the destruction in time and carry out the necessary restoration measures.
Application of filling
If tooth decay began to develop or a piece of tooth enamel cracked, then filling is suitable for the restoration of such defects.
Application of the filling material is carried out gradually, in layers, which allows you to accurately restore the shape of the tooth and return to it the necessary functions. In modern dentistry, reflective materials are used to fill teeth, which harden under the influence of light (narrowly focused special equipment is used). Finishing material is durable and durable.
If carious lesions of the teeth are more serious, then in the process of applying the filling, the use of additional tabs and pins may be required.
What is the essence of fluoridation
This procedure is recommended for use regularly, preferably once a year. Its essence lies in the fact that a special additional coating with fluorine-containing preparations is applied to the tooth surface. Fluoride is the most important element that in ordinary life enters the body with food, toothpaste and water.
Fluoridation effectively reduces tooth sensitivity and makes enamel stronger.
The method has two varieties:
- Simple fluoridation. The course of such therapy is designed for 10 procedures. Apply the drug with a brush directly to the surface of the teeth. Also often used is a dental mouthpiece that is filled with a drug and worn on the teeth for a while.
- Deep fluoridation. This method involves the use of special tools that seal the tooth enamel. After applying the drug, the teeth must be treated with warm air, applied a second time drug and rinse the oral cavity with warm water.
The deep fluorination method is considered more effective and retains its useful properties for a long time.
Implantation method
Implantation is an effective and progressive method of restoring the protective coating of the tooth. Its essence is to build tissue at the molecular level. Implantation is perfect for cases when the enamel on the teeth has been worn off and its early restoration is required.
Molecular build-up, in truth, is a unique method of restoring enamel, suitable for any type of damage to the surface of the tooth.
Indications for the use of implantation:
- mechanical damage to the tooth ;
- enamel color change;
- hypersensitivity of teeth;
- too wide interdental distance;
- defects in the shape of the teeth, both congenital and acquired;
- fluorosis.
This method is great for combating hereditary fine enamel, and can provide people with such a pathology with good oral health.
Naturally, along with a high level of beneficial effect, implantation also has a high price level for the procedure.
Why remineralization is needed
The main goal of the procedure is to restore the level of necessary trace elements in tooth enamel. If the level of mineral substances in the composition of the protective coating is violated, then the enamel weakens, becomes covered with cracks and the development of caries begins.
Remineralization is somewhat reminiscent of fluoridation, but the preparations used contain a wider range of trace elements necessary for the tooth.
Indications for use:
- It is considered a good preparation for teeth whitening.
- Recovery after professional brushing.
- Erosion of tooth enamel of varying degrees.
- The weakening of the protective coating of the tooth, for example, in women during the period of gestation.
- Hypersensitivity of teeth to temperature changes, as well as to acidic or sweet foods.
- Predisposition to erase enamel and its depletion.
The therapeutic composition can be applied directly to the tooth surface, or using a special mouthpiece.
Modern dentistry has the means to carry out a similar procedure on their own, at home. On sale there is a selection of special gels for tooth enamel, which, when applied to the tooth surface, enrich it with mineral substances.
Dentists often recommend using a fluoridation procedure to consolidate a positive result if the patient has no contraindications.
Tooth restoration
Tooth restoration using composite materials is largely identical to filling, but more expensive and durable materials are used in its process. Composite restoration allows you to restore the aesthetic appearance of any smile. A single visit to the dentist allows you to return the tooth to a healthy appearance, without resorting to prosthetics.
The main indications for the use of composite restoration:
- increased gaps between the teeth;
- the need to return the color of enamel, with contraindications for tooth whitening;
- malocclusion;
- enamel surface damage;
- distorted shape of the teeth.
There are a number of contraindications for such a restoration, including increased bleeding gums.
Installation of ceramic veneers
First of all, it is restoration of a healthy appearance of teeth, if it is not possible to restore the natural color of enamel and its treatment with other methods is not available. Veneers are thin ceramic plates that are superimposed on the previously turned surface of the frontal group of teeth.
Such overlays are durable and perfectly matched to the color of the remaining teeth, which makes the final result of the procedure invisible to others.
Only a dentist can recommend the installation of veneers.
The benefits of toothpaste
Modern toothpastes have the necessary set of useful trace elements and vitamins, which makes them an indispensable daily prevention of tooth enamel depletion.
If you choose a restorative toothpaste, then its action will be aimed at saturating the enamel with fluoride (strengthening the protective coating) and retaining calcium in the teeth. Also, such pastes contain trace elements, which serve as an excellent prevention of caries.
It is an interesting fact that calcium and fluorine, being together in the composition of the paste, will not have any beneficial effect. To achieve a positive result, fluorine and calcium must be used separately.
How to protect enamel at home
As mentioned above, it is impossible to return damaged enamel, especially at home. But to apply a set of measures aimed at strengthening the teeth and preventing the development of caries, everyone can do it.
It is important to remember three basic rules:
- Monitor your diet. Eat as much vitamin food as possible.
- Choose the right toothpaste and other oral hygiene products. If in doubt, it is best to consult a dentist.
- Do not resort to teeth whitening at home. In pursuit of a Hollywood smile, enamel can be seriously injured.
With proper use of available funds, you can avoid unplanned visits to the dentist, and reduce the risk of enamel destruction and tooth decay.
Useful Tips
The rules of oral hygiene include several interesting nuances that can be adopted in everyday life:
- After any meal, do not run to the toothbrush, this will not benefit, just rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Closely monitor the amount of sweet in your daily diet.
- Eating raw vegetables and fruits, especially the rigid structure, helps the teeth to clean themselves.
- Visit your dentist at least once a year for a routine checkup.
It is enough for each person to pay a little more attention to the condition of their teeth and oral hygiene, which will save in the future not only money, but also time and nerves.