What is tooth enamel?

What Is Tooth Enamel?

Tooth enamel is the thin, translucent outer covering of your teeth. It’s the hardest tissue in the human body and covers the visible part of the tooth called the crown. Enamel plays several crucial roles:

  1. Protection: Enamel shields your teeth from daily wear and tear caused by chewing, biting, and grinding.
  2. Insulation: It insulates teeth from extreme temperatures and chemical stimuli.
  3. Color Determination: While enamel itself is see-through, the underlying dentin gives teeth their color.

Causes of Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion occurs when acids wear away the enamel. Common causes include:

  • Acidic Foods and Drinks: Soft drinks, fruit juices, sour candies, and acidic foods can erode enamel.
  • Dry Mouth: Reduced saliva flow can lead to enamel erosion.
  • Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acids can damage enamel.
  • Genetics and Environment: Friction, stress, and wear contribute to erosion.

Preventing and Treating Enamel Loss

Here are some tips:

  1. Oral Hygiene: Regular brushing and flossing help maintain enamel health.
  2. Limit Acidic Foods: Reduce consumption of acidic beverages and foods.
  3. Fluoride: Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to strengthen enamel.
  4. Regular Dental Visits: Professional cleanings and check-ups are essential.
  5. Avoid Grinding: Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth.
  6. Dietary Changes: Opt for enamel-friendly foods like dairy products and crunchy fruits and vegetables.

Remember, once enamel is lost, it cannot regenerate. So, protect your enamel for a lifetime of healthy smiles!


Sedation and Implant Dentists offer trusted, comprehensive dental care from one convenient location in Los Angeles County. Our dentists engage in ongoing continuing education to provide patients with the latest advances in dentistry including modern dental implant solutions, custom crowns and bridges and transformative 3D technology.


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by Thomas Gonzales D.D.S.

Thomas Gonzales D.D.S. is a Los Angeles dentist with advanced training in dental implants. He has 46 years’ experience and is licensed in IV Sedation. Dr. Gonzales has taught courses worldwide on dental implants including for Noris Medical, Nobel, Neodent, LVI Global and Dental Implant Institute. He was a professor of IV Sedation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine and a neuromuscular dentistry instructor for Loma Linda Medical Center. He is a member of several prestigious organizations, including: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr. Gonzales is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam War Veteran.

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