The hardest substance in the human body is not skeletal bone, but tooth enamel. The enamel on teeth is a thin layer of calcified material that covers the crown of each tooth. This enamel is the defense against tooth decay, so it is important to protect it from damage. Folks who take good care to maintain their teeth by brushing after meals and flossing may still face serious tooth decay issues as they age. To prevent tooth decay seniors need to know what to look out for and what they can do to encourage an environment in their mouths that is friendly to the enamel of their teeth.
It turns out that the saliva in our mouths can provide an excellent defense against the acids and other chemicals found in what we eat and drink. In fact saliva is necessary to provide the repair function needed against the first stages of tooth decay. Saliva works to protect our tooth enamel by supplying high levels of calcium and phosphate particles to enhance the protection of the enamel. Both the phosphate and calcium help slow the loss of tooth enamel and aid in rebuilding it. The second player that can enhance the activity of saliva to protect tooth enamel is fluoride. Many tooth pastes contain fluoride which helps harden tooth enamel against decay. Adding fluoride toothpaste to daily dental hygiene can provide a real boost to the dental sector of senior health.