Tooth Enamel
Your teeth have a complex structure. An individual
tooth consists of an exposed crown and a root, buried in the
gum and jaw. The crown is usually at least partly covered
by an outer layer of an especially hard substance related
to bone called enamel. Tooth enamel, which is the hard, shiny
outermost layer, largely consists of a form of the mineral
calcium phosphate. As well as providing the hard surfaces
needed for biting and chewing, the enamel layer also protects
the inner parts of teeth from infection and decay.
Beneath the enamel (and sometimes exposed to
the surface if the enamel is missing or worn away) is an intermediate
layer of material called dentine, which is also similar to
bone but is not nearly as hard as enamel. It surrounds an
inner pulp cavity. Blood vessels and nerves reach the pulp
cavity through a channel, the root canal, that penetrates
the root. An additional layer of bony material, cementum,
usually surrounds the root.
Tooth enamel forms a protective layer against
your inner tooth, guarding it against bacteria that cause
decay.
The Effect of Acids on Tooth Enamel
Acids eat away minerals. When acids in your
mouth come into contact with tooth enamel, a small part of
the calcium phosphate in your teeth is lost. We
say that demineralization has occurred.
If the mineral loss is excessive, a microscopic hole right
through the enamel layer may be formed. Bacteria get into
the tooth via this hole, infecting the central part of the
tooth and causing decay.
Where do the Acids Come
From?
Acids occur naturally in many of the foods
we eat. We are often aware of this as the lovely
“zing” or “tang” of fresh oranges,
lemons, and pineapples but other fruits and vegetables can
also be acidic. Vinegars and pickles are highly
acidic. So too are wines and carbonated beverages.
Microscopic demineralization occurs whenever we consume acidic
foods and drinks. The more often we consume them,
the greater the amount of calcium and phosphate lost from
our tooth enamel and the harder it becomes for saliva to provide
the balancing amount or remineralization. Acids
also form in our mouth as a result of chemical processes initiated
by the bacteria in dental plaque. The carbohydrates
and sugars we eat are converted to plaque acids by these bacteria.
Demineralization of our teeth increases when we
eat more carbohydrates and sugars and when our oral hygiene
is not good enough to remove the acid forming plaque. Quite
strong acids naturally occur in our stomachs as an essential
part of the digestion of food. When we regurgitate
partly digested food, some of this strong acid can end up
in our mouths. If this is repeated frequently,
as for example with bulimia, quite severe damage to the teeth
can occur.
Saliva
Saliva not only moistens our mouth it also washes away food
particles and contains proteins, natural antibiotics and other
substances necessary for good health and the prevention of
tooth decay. Importantly, saliva also carries
the calcium and phosphate we need to remineralize our teeth.
Saliva is an essential part of the body’s
own natural mechanisms to protect and repair our tooth enamel.
Balancing Demineralization
and Remineralization
Dental problems occur whenever there is either
too much demineralization or not enough remineralization.
Poor oral hygiene, dietary habits, excess consumption of carbonated
beverages, occupational hazards and even the regurgitation
of partly digested food can all increase the rate of demineralization.
Not enough remineralization occurs whenever there is a reduced
flow of saliva to the tooth surface. A reduction in saliva
(experienced as a dry mouth) is normal as we grow older. However
a dry mouth can occur in any age group as a result of using
certain medicines or as a result of radiotherapy and surgical
intervention. In the case of orthodontic braces, the salivary
flow can be normal, but the braces themselves prevent it from
reaching the surface of the teeth and carrying out its remineralizing
function.
Changing our diet and improving our oral hygiene can reduce
the amount of demineralization. If we don’t make these
changes our normal saliva cannot balance the mineral loss.
Similarly, if we have a reduced amount of saliva, there is
not enough balancing remineralization even when the mineral
loss is not aggravated by excessively acidic conditions in
the mouth. The unique formulation of Topacal C-5 can help
in either of these circumstances. Topacal C-5 is based on
the casein protein extracted from pure dairy milk. It has
extra calcium and phosphate added in a special way that allows
them to boost the natural protective and repair functions
of saliva. Dairy products have long been known to be good
for your teeth and bones. The casein protein in them provides
a protective barrier on the tooth which minimises the adherence
of decay-causing bacteria. Topacal C-5 contains the same protein
and acts in the same way. Further, Topacal C-5 with its added
calcium and phosphate, temporarily increases the concentration
of these minerals at the tooth surface. This not only helps
prevent acid attack but it also provides a reservoir of exactly
the right materials needed to increase the rate of remineralization.
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