Most people think the hardest substance in their body is bone. However, the enamel on your teeth, which is a highly mineralized substance, is actually the hardest substance in your body.

What Is Tooth Enamel?
The enamel is what you see when you look at your teeth in the mirror. Tooth enamel may vary in thickness and hardness from tooth to tooth and from person to person. Depending on the foods you eat, medications you take, and other factors, your tooth enamel can vary in color. 



Enamel is free of nerves and has no blood supply. It is hard enough that it can withstand the forces you put upon it when you chew. Between 95 and 98 percent of your enamel is made from non-organic materials, including phosphate ions and calcium. Together, they make strong hydroxyapatite crystals.  Up to two percent of your enamel is organic material. These are proteins in enamel are called enamelins. Enamelins have unique properties that make them bind to hydroxyapatite crystals. Approximately four percent of your enamel is made of water.

Why Is Tooth Enamel Important?
Patients visiting the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa often hear about protecting their tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is important because it serves as a protective shell for the nerves and other sensitive elements that make up your teeth. Unlike other parts of your body, your tooth enamel cannot regenerate. Once your tooth enamel is damaged or destroyed, it cannot be replaced naturally. 



Although tooth enamel is strong, it is not invincible. Much of the damage done to tooth enamel is caused by acids found in food and beverages. These acidic foods include coffee, wine, juice, and fruit. Acid erosion affects approximately one third of adults.

Oral bacteria and plaque that interact with the sugar in food can remove minerals from your tooth enamel. Healthy and strong tooth enamel is essential for having teeth that are free of cavities, to prevent oral health issues, and to keep your teeth white.

Ways to Prevent Tooth Enamel Loss
There are several lifestyle and dietary changes that you can make to prevent tooth enamel loss.

Stay Away from Soda
Soda tastes delicious and can be refreshing. However, when you drink it in large amounts, it damages your tooth enamel because soda is full of sugar, which leads to tooth decay. Even unsweetened carbonized drinks, like seltzer water, can affect your tooth enamel because they are acidic.

Avoid Excessive Citrus
Citrus is good in moderation. However, eating too many citric fruits, like oranges, grapefruit, or lemons, will take its toll on your teeth. You don’t have to avoid citrus entirely. In fact, doing so would be bad for your health. You just need to monitor the quantity of citrus you eat. The more citrus you eat, the more water you should drink to wash away the acidic juices.

Add More Dairy
Unlike citrus, dairy can build up your enamel. Eating dairy products increases saliva production, which gets rid of debris and acids. Dairy is high in calcium and phosphate. Both are essential for remineralizing enamel that has become weak.

How Can You Protect Your Enamel?
A good way to protect your enamel is to avoid over brushing. If you brush your teeth too hard or you move your toothbrush back and forth too fast, you will wear down your enamel. It’s recommended that you hold your toothbrush at a 45 degrees angle; use gentle, short strokes and cover just the distance of one tooth. It is also recommended that you wait around 60 minutes after eating citrus fruits before you brush your teeth. 



Also, dental experts recommend the use of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter because it gives your enamel the boost it needs and can help repair the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride makes your teeth resistant to acids created by foods that form bacteria in your mouth. 



Your tooth enamel plays a vital role in your overall health. Protect it by brushing, flossing, avoiding unwholesome foods, and getting regular dental visits at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. This will increase the chances that your teeth will last you for the rest of your life. To schedule a dental checkup, contact us today!