Enamel

• covers the crown of the tooth
• hardest calcified tissue in the human body
• protective layer for the tooth and provides a strong surface for crushing and grinding
• thicker on the chewing surface and thinner near the gum line
• contains no nerve supply, therefore does not feel pain

Even though the enamel is very hard, it can be damaged due to:

• attrition (loss of tooth tissues and structure as a result of tooth-to-tooth contact e.g. tooth grinding)
• abrasion (loss of tooth tissues and structure wear of the tooth produced by something other than tooth-to-tooth contact, e.g. forceful brushing or using a toothbrush with hard bristles)
• erosion (loss of tooth tissues and structure wear of the tooth brought about by chemical process, e.g. dissolved by acid (i.e. reflux)
• fracture due to stress or trauma
• effects of dental decay or caries (this is caused by acid produced by a bacterial process in the regions of plaque accumulation/stagnation).