Strong teeth are a critical component of good oral health. Good oral health is the foundation of overall good health. Therefore, it is important to understand how to make teeth stronger.
The enamel is the part of the tooth you can see. It is very hard and made of the mineral calcium phosphate. Under that is the dentin. It, too, is hard and has microscopic tubes that can cause pain or sensitivity if the enamel is damaged. The pulp is the core of the tooth and includes nerves and blood vessels.
Although tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it is vulnerable. Tooth decay can damage it. Eating sweet foods can leave plaque on the surface of the tooth. The plaque can become tartar which is much harder to remove. Tartar can damage the enamel. Once that happens, the rest of the tooth is defenseless. A dentist must remove the bad tissue and replace it with a filling that will protect the rest of the tooth and keep it functional.
There are ways you can learn how to make teeth stronger. These things are easy to do, and it is a good idea to create life-long healthy habits. These include:
• Eat foods that contain calcium. Dairy products are the most well-known, but you can find calcium in seeds (chia, sesame, poppy, and celery), canned salmon and sardines, rhubarb, lentils and beans, dark and leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, and kale), and almonds. Some foods have added calcium;
• Avoid sugar of all kinds. You may love sweet things, but the bacteria in your mouth do, too, and that can cause problems. Artificial sweeteners are acidic and can damage the enamel, as well. Flavored waters can also be acidic. For these and other reasons, plain water is the healthiest drink;
• Brush your teeth, at least, once a day. Use a brush with soft bristles and brush at a 45-degree to the gums. If you eat citrus fruits or sweets, drink some water, and wait about an hour to brush because citrus and sweets can leave the enamel soft. Avoid brushing too hard because that can damage the enamel;
• Use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride. It can strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to destructive acids;
• The acids from heartburn can damage tooth enamel, so make sure you treat heartburn before it has a chance to harm it. Some medications can cause dry mouth which can be very destructive to tooth enamel. There are mouthwashes that help alleviate dry mouth and prevent damage to the enamel; and
• Finally, see your dentist, twice a year, for preventative teeth cleaning. Brushing can help keep plaque under control, but only professional cleaning can remove the destructive tartar. If you do develop a cavity, it can be found while it is still small and easier to treat.
Doing these things will help you maintain strong teeth. This will contribute to your overall health and give you something to smile about.
