{"id":225,"date":"2020-01-06T14:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T14:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cocoabeachdentist.com\/blog\/?p=225"},"modified":"2020-02-06T14:11:49","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T14:11:49","slug":"can-tooth-enamel-last-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cocoabeachdentist.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/06\/can-tooth-enamel-last-a-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Tooth Enamel Last a Lifetime?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you know your tooth enamel is important, but aren\u2019t exactly sure why? This incredibly hard and resistant outer shell of your teeth helps protect them from decay and infection, preserving the structure of your smile. Although many people are aware that it\u2019s the strongest substance in the body, researchers recently learned that with proper maintenance, it can last an entire lifetime. Read on to learn about the latest dental findings and how you can avoid enamel erosion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Microscopic Structure of Enamel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In September of 2019, researchers from the Massachusetts\nInstitute of Technology set out on a mission to understand tooth enamel better\nby getting it under a microscope and observing its structure. They discovered\nthat the outer layer of teeth is made of complex patterns of individual\ncrystals, like a suit of intricately woven chainmail armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This unveiling made them interested in seeing if this crystal alignment differs among people, and they found that it does. Next, they developed a computer model of the various crystal patterns to help them determine whether the alignment of these crystals affects the lifespan of enamel. They put these various enamel constructions up to virtual tests such as chewing food and biting nails, and found that through several trials, enamel that had smaller angles between adjacent crystals was better protected from cracks and dental damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Causes of Enamel Erosion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though these patterns are determined by genetics, that\ndoesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t have any control over how rapidly your enamel\nerodes. There are several ways that deterioration can occur. Acid produced by\nharmful oral bacteria or found in certain foods and beverages such as red wine\nand citrus are a key player in this oral issue. Even if the crystal pattern on\nyour tooth enamel is stronger than others, if you don\u2019t take care of it, your\nteeth will still be at risk due to deterioration. In addition to food, some\nother causes of erosion include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n