To maintain a healthy smile, you need to prevent decay and erosion from occurring. To do this, it is best to understand what type of treatments or appliances are right for protecting your enamel.

Sealants

Sealants are one option for protecting your enamel. With this process, a dentist places a plastic coating over the enamel, which stops bacteria and plaque from eroding your teeth. Generally, the coating is painted on the chewing surfaces of your premolars and molars.

This process is more common for children, though adults can benefit from having sealants done as well. The only factor that can prevent you from getting sealants is that the material can only go over healthy teeth.

If a dentist were to place the sealant over a minor cavity for example, he or she will not be able to see when the decay gets worse. For this reason, a dentist will thoroughly check each tooth and then tell you which ones are viable for being sealed. Even if only a few teeth are candidates for this procedure, it is still worth the time to have them sealed so you can help protect those teeth.

Fluoride Treatments

Using fluoride is another way to strengthen your enamel. Most fluoride-based products that you can use at home come in the form of toothpastes and mouthwashes.

However, you can also increase your fluoride amounts by changing your diet. Many fruits and vegetables naturally contain fluoride. This means by adding more of these items to your diet, you increase your fluoride intake in small increments as well.

Another option is to have a dentist apply fluoride directly onto your enamel. Most dentists use a foam or gel that sits on your teeth for a specific amount of time so that the fluoride can penetrate your enamel. This process works well for those with a fluoride deficiency, because dentists use a highly concentrated form of fluoride during this procedure.

Mouth Guard

Grinding your teeth at night can cause your enamel to erode and even break. To help prevent this type of damage from happening, you should consult a dentist about using a mouth guard.

A mouth guard is typically a piece of plastic that covers your upper teeth. When you grind your teeth, the plastic absorbs the pressure and friction, which reduces the amount of damage that is done to your enamel. A dentist can make you a custom mouth guard from an impression of your teeth so that it is comfortable to wear while you sleep and helps prevent further damage to your enamel.

To protect your enamel from erosion and decay, you should look into different preventative dental options. By having this information and making an appointment at a dental clinic, you will have a good chance at maintaining a healthy smile.