How to preserve and maintain your teeth?
What are teeth?
Adults have 32 teeth, which play an essential role in feeding and digestion. Teeth allow the food bolus to be formed by grinding and cutting food while mixing it with saliva, which constitutes the first stage of digestion.
Composed of several layers, they are a hard organ that contributes to the shape and support of facial tissues.
Their role, both functional and aesthetic, is paramount and it is therefore important to take care of them using simple actions.
Anatomy of the teeth
Anatomy of a tooth. Source: UFSBD
Teeth are made up of 3 parts:
- The crown itself is made up of three layers. Enamel is the visible, transparent outer layer. It is one of the strongest tissues in the body and harder than bone. It is also the most mineralized part of the body, primarily composed of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. Dentin is the middle layer that supports the enamel and gives the tooth its color. Finally, there is the pulp chamber, which contains the blood vessels and nerves.
- The root, also divided into 3 parts: the cementum, the dentin and the pulp canal.
- The alveolodental ligament which ensures the connection of the tooth with the jawbone.
What types of damage can teeth sustain? Erosion, wear, attrition, abfraction...
Teeth are subjected to daily aggressions that can lead to pathologies or troublesome conditions.
Erosion is the result of chemical wear on teeth, caused by acidity. Acidity leads to the dissolution of enamel, which can progress to the complete thinning of the enamel layer and reach the dentin. One indicator of this process is increased sensitivity to cold.
Erosion can be caused by excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks, but also by exposure to acidic vapors or as a result of gastroesophageal reflux.
Dental attrition is the loss of enamel due to mechanical wear. It generally occurs at the tips of the teeth and results from repeated friction caused, for example, by teeth grinding or misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment should normally resolve the problem.
Dental abfraction is a lesion, with loss of tooth structure at the gum line. It is caused by excessive mechanical stress on the teeth (grinding, biting, excessive clenching). The underlying causes can be treated with appropriate orthodontic treatment, and the lesions can be concealed using a specific composite resin.
In all cases, if you experience pain, discomfort, visible wear or injury, you should consult your dentist who will be able to assess the extent of the problems and propose a suitable solution.
How to preserve your teeth?
To preserve your dental health, it is important to implement a few simple actions and precautions:
- Clean your teeth regularly, 2 to 3 times a day, after meals.
- Brush your teeth for about three minutes each time. Use a fluoride toothpaste to effectively fight cavities. It is recommended to avoid applying too much pressure while brushing, as this can cause gum recession. The proper method for effective and safe brushing is the modified Bass method . using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Note: while fluoride is essential in preventing cavities, overdosing should be avoided, especially in children. There's no need to slather the toothbrush with toothpaste; for children, a pea-sized amount is sufficient.
- Consult a dentist if you develop cavities or other dental problems.
- Having regular check-ups with your dentist (every 6 to 12 months is a good schedule)
To limit the process of dental erosion, it is best to avoid consuming overly acidic foods. In case of gastroesophageal reflux, you should consult your doctor.
To preserve your teeth, it is necessary to have a varied and balanced diet; certain minerals and vitamins are essential for teeth:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
- Fluoride
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- To a lesser extent: iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium
With age, a process of bone demineralization begins: osteoporosis ( which we will discuss in a future article). Bone is a key component of the dentition, as it is directly connected to the teeth. When osteoporosis worsens, teeth are at risk of loosening.
How can we prevent osteoporosis from damaging teeth?
To limit the onset of osteoporosis, it is best to ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D.
We are able to synthesize vitamin D; this process uses sunlight, and more specifically ultraviolet rays (mostly UV-B).
Unfortunately, our exposure to sunlight, especially in winter, is insufficient to ensure adequate synthesis. However, it is possible to obtain it through diet, either by consuming foods rich in vitamin D or by taking specific dietary supplements.
ANSES recommends the following daily intakes:
- 5.2 µg/day in children aged 1 to 3 years
- 2.6 µg/day in children aged 4 to 10 years
- 2.9 µg/day in children aged 11 to 17 years
- 3.1 µg/day in adulthood
Foods containing vitamin D include (source: CIQUAL ):
| Food | Quantity (µg/100g) |
| Cod liver oil | 250 |
| Canned cod liver | 54.3 |
| Salmon roe | 27 |
| Smoked herring | 22 |
| Halibut | 21.2 |
| Salmon trout | 18.7 |
| Sardine | 14 |
| Margarine | 10 |
| Cooked salmon | 9 |
| Duck foie gras | 2.75 |
| Calf's liver | 2.52 |
| Pork ribs | 2.3 |
| Egg yolk | 2 |
| 3% fat cottage cheese | 1.5 |
| Butter | 1.5 |
At Phytocea , we have designed a special food supplement for teeth and osteoporosis, ReNacre , which helps to meet vitamin D requirements and also provides calcium in the form of aragonite derived from mother-of-pearl powder.
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