Keep Your Enamel Strong And Decrease Your Chances Of Needing Implants

Dental enamel is the strong outermost layer of your teeth. It protects the other layers from damage. There are many ways the enamel can become thinner. When this happens, it leaves you more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Severe conditions can lead to the need for dental implants. Therefore, you should do what you can to keep your enamel thick and strong. This article will provide you with information on how you can help keep your enamel in good shape. 

Cut down on acidic foods

Consuming small amounts of acidic foods won't do too much harm to your enamel since your saliva will generally help prevent damage to your teeth. However, large amounts of acid can lead to tooth erosion, starting with the enamel. A few examples of foods high in acid include carbonated beverages, wine, pickles, citrus fruit and pasta sauce.

If you do eat foods high in acid, you want to make sure you try to minimize the damage to your enamel by rinsing your mouth out after. Also, sipping on water for a few steady minutes after you've finished eating the acidic food will help. Chewing sugarless gum will help remove some of the acid from your teeth and increase your saliva production to neutralize the acid. Controlling the acids in your mouth can directly decrease your chances of dealing with tooth sensitivity, cavities, decay and the need for implants.

Don't brush with a hard-bristled toothbrush

Unless your dentist has suggested you use a toothbrush with hard bristles, you should stick to a medium bristled one. Using too harsh of a toothbrush can cause your enamel to thin out after a period of time due to the excessive scrubbing of the surfaces.

Rethink a tongue piercing

When you have your tongue pierced, the metal piece of jewelry you will wear will hit against the backs of your teeth. This will cause damage to the enamel of your teeth over time. It also puts you at a very high risk of chipping or fracturing your teeth. The constant rubbing can also erode the gum away from the teeth. This leaves the teeth in a fragile state where they can quickly decay, increasing your chances of needing dental implants.

Now that you have a better understanding of the important role healthy enamel plays when it comes to preventing the need for dental implants, you are in a better position to properly care for your teeth.