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If you’re curious about the term ‘remineralization,’ it’s all about protecting your tooth enamel – that strong, outer layer that acts like a shield for your teeth. Keeping your enamel healthy is important, and remineralization is how you do it.
Many things can weaken your enamel, such as:
Worn-down teeth can leave them vulnerable to more serious problems down the line, like cavities and gum disease. These can cause pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss.
Here at NewMouth, our goal is to help you with all things dental. To do that, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to strengthen your tooth enamel.
One of the easiest ways to remineralize your teeth is to use toothpaste designed exactly for the task. Many of these will have fluoride, proven to reverse early decay by repairing the enamel layer and protecting your teeth from bacteria.
Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in many foods and water. However, when swallowed at high doses, it can be toxic. Some of the effects of fluoride toxicity include damage to the bones and ligaments. It can also cause discoloration or deformities in the enamel (fluorosis).
Fortunately, fluoride-free alternatives are available for those who don’t want to risk the mineral’s side effects.
While relatively new to the US, nHa-based toothpaste has been the standard in Japan for almost forty years now. Recent studies have suggested that nHa effectively corrects tooth deformities like decay.3
There’s a reason why dental experts recommend brushing and flossing twice daily. It prevents plaque buildup, which could weaken your tooth enamel. It also drastically reduces oral bacteria’s food supply, keeping you safe from tooth and gum diseases.
Dental experts recommend waiting an hour after eating to brush your teeth. You should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush with light pressure to avoid being too abrasive to your tooth enamel.
Did you know that nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 years have had decay in their teeth? The main culprits here are fruit juice and soda.7
When you drink soda, the sugars provide food for bacteria to produce acid. Meanwhile, juices are even worse because they contain both sugars and acids.
Acidic drinks like soda and fruit juice wear away enamel. To maintain a good oral hygiene routine, consider drinking water more than these beverages.
Another simple way to keep your teeth clean is to maintain a balanced diet. This means not only eating healthy foods but also limiting your intake of starchy, sugary, and acidic foods.
Reducing sugar and starches in the diet helps starve acid-producing bacteria. Consider eating more amounts of enamel-protecting foods.
Some of these include:
If you experience teeth grinding (bruxism), bite guards designed by orthodontists can prevent it throughout the day. Teeth grinding can easily wear away enamel and is often a symptom of anxiety, stress, hyperactivity, or reaction to a medication.4
Meanwhile, a dry mouth can also lead to weakened tooth enamel. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, plaque builds up faster, and remineralization is harder.
If you are experiencing dry mouth, here are some of the things we recommend to help with the symptoms:
A diet rich in proper vitamins and minerals is essential to promote healthy teeth. Vitamin D and A are particularly good for your oral health.
Healthy fats found in foods like salmon can increase the absorption of Vitamins D and A. Another way to increase absorption is to eat probiotic-rich foods such as:
Eating a balanced diet means you don’t have to worry about vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, even with a balanced diet, some people may require supplements due to various factors.
We strongly encourage consulting your healthcare provider before purchasing and consuming supplements.
Acid reflux and heartburn are causes of acid erosion in the enamel. Those with severe acid reflux or heartburn should not eat acidic fruits or spicy foods.
Some other foods to avoid include:
Foods that can counteract stomach acid include:
Having stronger teeth means a remarkably better quality of life. You can chew food more easily, enabling a healthy diet.
You can also feel more confident when you speak and smile. It’s easier to avoid dental health problems with stronger teeth.
Weakened and decaying teeth are primarily caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky, pale substance containing bacteria, saliva, and leftover food that forms on your teeth.
The bacteria in plaque feed off refined starches and sugars and produce acid as a byproduct. This acid leaches minerals from teeth, weakening them and causing cavities.
Tooth decay can prevent you from enjoying various foods and lead to cavities and tooth loss. It can also lead to complications elsewhere in your body.
Once your enamel layer is lost, you can’t get it back because it’s inorganic matter. That means, unlike hair, nails, and skin, it doesn’t regrow. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your tooth enamel strong.
Thankfully, while you cannot regain tooth enamel, you can reverse the damage before it’s too late. This is called remineralization.
Remineralization involves forcing teeth-strengthening minerals and vitamins back into the enamel. Various toothpastes, rinses, and gels are available to help remineralize teeth.
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