I’m sure you know what the hardest naturally occurring substance in the world is. Diamonds, of course! This seems to be common knowledge, but do you know what the second hardest naturally occurring substance is? I’ll give you a clue. It’s white, protective, and is located in your body.
Any guesses? It’s tooth enamel, of course! It’s true; your tooth enamel is incredibly hard and is an unbeatable protector for your teeth. I’m Dr. Brad Greenfield of Lake Orion Family Dentistry, and I want to tell you all about this amazing stuff.
Tooth enamel is the hard, white substance covering each of your teeth, and it is your smile’s natural defense system. In addition to protecting your teeth, tooth enamel helps to regulate how your teeth feel temperature. It is filled with tiny tunnels that connect the nerve in the tooth to the root. While there is no real substitute for tooth enamel, scientists have discovered ways to promote growth of natural enamel. Eventually, this will make dental fillings and drilling obsolete. Like I said, it’s amazing!
No matter how strong it is, tooth enamel isn’t invincible. After you eat or drink, acids temporarily soften your tooth enamel, making it vulnerable. This allows sugars and other harmful bacteria to stick to the teeth. Fortunately, your saliva is designed to step in and re-strengthen your tooth enamel. This is just one more example of how closely everything in your mouth works together, and how important it is to have regular dental check-ups to make sure that everything is healthy and doing their job.
For more information about the power of your tooth enamel, or to schedule an appointment, please call my office in Lake Orion, Michigan at (248) 693-6213.
