Enamel is a kind of external protection to the teeth. It covers the teeth
like the shell of an egg: it protects the softer, more vulnerable part of the
tooth inside.
But unlike an eggshell, the thin layer of enamel is tough. In fact, it is
the hardest and most mineralized substance in our bodies and, with dentin,
cementum, and dental pulp, is one of the four major tissues which make up the
tooth. It’s amazing that it can withstand decades of biting, chewing and
crunching – with some luck and good dental care. This protective material ranges up from approximately 2.5 –
3.0 millimeters in thickness. Its thickness
varies typically over the biting surface of the tooth. It is often
thickest at the cusp, and thinnest at its border. The large amount of minerals in enamel accounts not
only its strength but also for its
brittleness. Ninety-six percent of enamel consists of mineral, with water and
organic material making up the rest.
Damage to enamel, or tooth erosion
as is known in dental parlance, usually shows up as hollows in the teeth and a
general wearing away of the tooth surface and biting edges. This can expose the
dentine underneath, which is a darker, yellower colour than the enamel. Because the dentine is sensitive your teeth can also
be more sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.
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