Enamel, the outer covering of your tooth, protects the inner layers of your teeth from acids in your diet and overall helps keep your teeth healthy. If your tooth's enamel wears away, it can't repair itself. Fortunately, it is possible to strengthen and repair weakened enamel — a process referred to as remineralization — and prevent future dental erosion.
Enamel Remineralization 101: Ways to Remineralize Teeth
You can stop or prevent demineralization with the following treatment measures.
1. Don't forget to brush your teeth
The results of a study by Delta Dental showed that 31 percent of Americans do not brush their teeth at least twice a day. Even worse, 2 percent admit to not brushing at all.
Brushing your teeth is crucial for removing oral bacteria. Dental caries (cavities) are mainly the result of Streptococcus mutans bacteria accumulating in your mouth. Thorough and consistent teeth brushing can remove the harmful bacteria that can lead to cavities and mineral loss.
2. Brush with fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste can strengthen your teeth and help prevent tooth decay, making them less prone to mineral loss.
3. Get more calcium and vitamins
Though your teeth naturally contain calcium, dietary acids and oral bacteria can strip away this essential mineral over time. Eating calcium-rich foods can help replenish calcium. For instance, a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating cheese could counteract the enamel-dissolving effects of sugar.
4. Reduce sugar intake
Sugar is a highly acidic soluble. It interacts with bacteria in your mouth by wearing down tooth enamel.
A higher frequency in sugar intake can lead to demineralization more than the amount of sugar consumed, confirms a 2016 study. In simpler words, consuming sugary foods and beverages in small amounts on a regular basis is more damaging than enjoying an occasional serving of your favorite dessert.
5. Got a sweet tooth? Chew sugarless gum
How gum affects oral health is a topic that scientists and dentists have been debating about for decades. However, while most sweets and treats have a reputation for causing dental problems, studies show that sugarless gum may stimulate tooth remineralization. Sugarless gum removes sugar and plaque from teeth and encourages the salivary glands to produce more saliva. To add, chewing gum may act as a barrier to prevent mineral loss.
To reap the full remineralization benefits of sugarless gum, consider chewing after meals. Xylitol and sorbitol are among the most promising sugar alternatives.
6. Consume fruits and fruit juices in moderation
Fruit is an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, some fruits are higher in acid content than others, draining the enamel's calcium away. Cranberries, grapefruits, lemons, and all citrus fruits are some of the worst culprits.
Drinking fruit juices do more harm than eating actual fruits, as they are highly acidic and contain added sugars in most cases.
It's best to avoid drinking fruit juices and to eat acidic fruits on occasion.
7. Limit dairy consumption
Dairy products, especially milk, are natural sources of calcium, but the lactose in traditional milk products can increase acidity in your oral cavity since lactose is a variety of sugar.
The good news is you can still reap the benefits of calcium by opting for lactose-free milk or by choosing a milk alternative made from soy, cashews, or almonds.
8. Ask a doctor about probiotics
If you are considering probiotics for remineralization, select strains that are naturally produced in the oral cavity. By doing so, you are replenishing or replacing the good bacteria in your mouth without introducing strains that are potentially harmful.
Talk to your physician about the following probiotics, which may promote better oral health and remineralization:
Probiotics are available in supplement form and in certain yogurt products. It's recommended to take these daily for the best results.
9. Seek treatment for dry mouth
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a common condition describing insufficient saliva production. Saliva helps keep the mouth moist and feeling comfortable, and it plays an important role in preventing cavities.
A 2016 research adds that saliva is an integral part of tooth remineralization. Saliva prevents dry mouth and also contains calcium and phosphate.
If you have this condition, ask your Irvine dentist about rinses and gums you can use to increase your saliva production (and address bad breath).
10. Avoid foods with starch
Starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, pasta, and rice are full of simple carbohydrates. Though delicious, these foods increase the amount of fermentable sugars in the mouth, which can lead to enamel erosion. The risk of harming your oral health is even higher when eating starchy foods with sugar. For example, sweetened bread is problematic and can cause your teeth to decay, but sugar-free bread is not.
11. Drink water instead of soda, juice, and other beverages
Good ol' H2O is and always will be the beverage of choice of dentists and nutritionists. Naturally sugarless and effective for washing away bacteria in the mouth, drinking water can also remove harmful substances in the body.
In addition, rinsing your mouth out with water may reduce demineralization when you don't have a toothbrush on hand. This technique is most helpful after consuming anything acidic or sugary.
As for other beverages, though coffee and tea aren't completely off-limits, keep in mind that they do remineralize teeth over time. Plus, these drinks can be acidic, especially coffee. Adding sugar to these beverages is even more detrimental to your oral health.
Juices (as mentioned earlier) and sodas are also acidic and often contain sugar. Therefore, it is best to have them on an occasional basis.
The Bottom Line
In general, mineral loss is relatively inevitable due to the elements and substances we expose our teeth to every day. From foods and drinks to saliva and bacteria, human teeth deal with wear and tear constantly. However, though your teeth are built to withstand these elements, too much demineralization can wear them down in the long run.
Taking proactive steps to stop demineralization and remineralize teeth, along with regular trips to our dental office in Montclair or Irvine, California, can help keep your teeth healthy and bright. If you're long overdue for a dental checkup, contact us now to schedule an appointment.
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