(BPT) – They say you can tell a lot about a person from their smile. From braces to whitening treatments, regular dental visits and good brushing habits, Americans do a lot to make sure their teeth look great when they flash a smile.
However, one of the most important parts of a great smile, and indeed an essential part of healthy teeth, often gets overlooked: your enamel.
The enamel is the hard, protective coating that covers your teeth and is the first and most important line of defense against tooth decay. Even though maintaining a strong, healthy layer of enamel is essential to preserving your smile, it often isn’t the focus of someone’s oral care routine.
‘I like to share valuable information like enamel erosion with my patients and friends because most people don’t understand it or know how to prevent it and, most importantly, that once enamel is gone, you can never get it back,’ says Ann Ross, RDH. ‘Because of this, prevention, through avoiding certain foods and practicing good oral hygiene, is essential.’
Proactive approach
To preserve your enamel and prevent further erosion, dental professionals recommend a proactive and defensive approach.
The first step is to take proactive measures. This includes proper brushing and using the right toothpaste.
In October of this year, the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs announced that Crest Pro-Health Advanced, Deep Clean Mint toothpaste earned the first ADA Seal of Acceptance in the enamel erosion category, based on the finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in helping to prevent or reduce enamel erosion from dietary acids, when used as directed.
A good defense
You may be causing enamel erosion without knowing it. On a daily basis, people ingest acidic drinks and foods that are especially harmful to teeth. The biggest culprits are:
- Lemon (including lemonade)
- Cola drinks
- Sport drinks
- Orange juice
- Energy drinks
If you drink these daily, make sure you are taking steps to protect your enamel, like using the right toothpaste, and drinking plenty of water.
Ross adds, ‘If you want to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile, make sure you protect your enamel by brushing twice a day with toothpaste that has been scientifically shown to prevent the erosion of enamel, like Crest Pro-Health Advanced, Deep Clean Mint.’
For more information, visit www.crest.com.
