There are a number of different aspects to a human tooth. For the purpose of this blog, let us base this on two parts; the hard enamel exterior and the softer and more vulnerable interior. When we get a toothache, a tooth abscess develops or there is a root canal infection, these all originated from damage or infection of the inner part of the tooth. Treatments required when this happens are likely to include a filling or a root canal procedure. We shouldn\u2019t presume that these are \u2018normal\u2019 though and there is a lot that we can do to reduce the chances of this happening. In today\u2019s blog, we will look at the role that the enamel of our teeth plays in this.<\/p>\n
Tooth enamel has, largely, one role to play and that is to protect the inner part of our teeth. Naturally, it also helps us to eat and, if looked after well, can produce an attractive smile. Ultimately though, it is like a suit of armour for the inner part of the tooth and it is therefore important that we do what we can to keep it strong and healthy. Before we look at how to care for it, let us take a look at some of the more common things that can go wrong with it.<\/p>\n
Tooth decay is usually the most common thing that causes a toothache and brings patients to the Cygnet Dental Practice seeking an emergency dental appointment<\/a> with one of our Wickford dentists. Decay usually happens over a period of time and is often caused by a poor diet and less than comprehensive cleaning. As the bacteria in our mouth feeds off the sugars and starches that we consume, they produce acids which start to eat away at the enamel. Eventually, they can make their way through the enamel and into the softer part of the tooth which is more vulnerable. Eventually, some discomfort is felt and restorative treatment will be needed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accidental damage to a tooth can happen however well we look after them. Some of these are known risks such as playing football while others are out of our control, such as slipping on ice etc. Many breakages are not this \u2018spectacular\u2019 though and result in things like our teeth biting into a stray piece of stone or similar that has found its way into our food. There is not much that we can do about this although keeping the enamel strong and healthy will certainly help to protect it in situations like this.<\/p>\n Many breakages are minor and may be small issues such as chips or cracks on the teeth. Even if these are small though, you should ensure that they are checked by our dental team. If they have exposed the inner part of the tooth, treatment will be needed but even if this is not the case, the damage may have weakened the tooth structure, making further damage more likely. Preventative treatment might then be recommended.<\/p>\n One common enamel problem, and increasingly so, is erosion of the enamel. This can occur through a poor bite or teeth grinding, but most cases these days are caused by a diet that is high in acids. One of the biggest culprits for this is the rise in consumption of \u2018sports\u2019 or \u2018energy\u2019 drinks that are high in sugars and acids. Even regular \u2018fizzy\u2019 drinks can damage teeth in this way though and, for the best part, we recommend that you drink water to quench your thirst and keep your consumption of these types of drinks to a minimum.<\/p>\nBreakages<\/h3>\n
Erosion<\/h3>\n