What Is Your Tooth Enamel Made Of?

Did you know that the protective layer around your teeth, called enamel, is the strongest substance that your body produces? In fact, healthy tooth enamel is stronger than any other substance on earth except for diamonds. Nevertheless, your enamel isn’t indestructible. Without proper care and maintenance, your tooth enamel can lose its incredible resilience and fall victim to tooth decay or damage. Your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, explores the strength and vulnerability of human tooth enamel and how you can help protect yours from danger.

There are many similarities between the structures of your bones and teeth; for instance, both are comprised largely of calcium and phosphate mineral crystals. Specialized proteins shape and form strands from these minerals, and in the case of tooth enamel, these strands are stretched thousands of times longer and stronger than those of bone. Tooth enamel remainsstrong by absorbing essential minerals from your teeth (remineralization), but when oral bacteria-produced acid attacks, it can weaken your enamel and deplete your teeth’s mineral supply (demineralization).

Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day helps control the population of acid producing oral bacteria, limiting the threat that these germs pose to your tooth enamel. If Dr. Smith notices that your enamel suffers from excessive demineralization during your dental checkup, he may recommend fluoride treatment to fortify and strengthen your tooth enamel. We’ll also work with you to develop a more effective dental hygiene routine to reduce your risk of developing tooth decay.

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, restorative, and family dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you and your family are new or returning patients, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.