Can tooth enamel be restored? This answer may not be what you are expecting, but you cannot restore damaged tooth enamel. However, there is hope because remineralization can strengthen tooth enamel before decay goes too far.
Remineralization is when the vital minerals needed in your teeth become reintroduced for a rebuild. These minerals include phosphate, calcium, and fluoride. They are more potent for individuals who suffer from dental erosion since it does not destroy the enamel but weaken it. So let’s head on to how to keep your tooth enamel strong.
How to Keep Enamel Strong
Your tooth enamel is the surface of your tooth that helps prevent decay. There are several ways to keep tooth enamel strong to prevent cavities and decay, resulting in tooth loss. Read on for some recommendations to protect your tooth enamel.
1. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
Sugar contains bacteria that are bad for your teeth. A large amount of sugar is in foods and drinks, containing acids that weaken the enamel. For example, chocolate bars, sweets, candies, and other sweet products that stick to the teeth are harmful to your enamel.
When choosing beverages on the road or in your local supermarket, it is recommended to choose something that has artificial sweeteners over sugar-filled ones. These kinds are less harmful to your enamel but still dangerous to the strength of your enamel. Water should be your preferred choice and fruit for a sweet snack as those natural sugars are less harmful to your enamel.
2. Eat Foods That Protect Enamel
Calcium in food counters acids in your mouth that cause decay. It also helps keep your bones and teeth strong. Dairy is known to strengthen the enamel, but eating items with no or less fat is better to avoid high calories.
3. Avoid Over-Brushing
Brushing too fast or hard is no good for your teeth as it damages your enamel. Use a soft-bristle brush and place it on your gums at an angle of about 45 degrees. Stroke your teeth gently, shortly taking the brush back and forth in one tooth’s distance.
Before eating sweet items or the ones with artificial sweeteners, holding on for at least one hour is best because they contain harmful acid.
4. Use Fluoride
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), fluoride toothpaste is best for the teeth because it helps fight cavities. In addition, fluoride helps maintain a strong enamel, repairs tooth decay, and builds an acid-resistant tooth. This acid is the one found in foods and bacteria in the mouth.
Fluoride toothpaste should be a lifetime choice starting from a preschool to an adult ages. It helps in building strong teeth from an early stage. For adults, mouthwash with fluoride is another excellent choice to hinder cavities.
5. Care for your Entire Mouth
There is a lot to consider in carrying out proper oral care. For example, brushing your teeth alone is not enough because it does not fully cater to every part of your mouth.
It is also vital to brush your tongue and floss your teeth because they can also contain particles that can deteriorate your oral health.
6. Treat Heartburn and Eating Disorders
Heartburn leads to the release of stomach acids which can harm your enamel when it gets to your mouth.
Individuals with bulimia, a disorder that leads to self-induced vomiting, can also harm the enamel because they contain acids detrimental to the teeth’s enamel.
To treat these disorders one should seek help from a medical professional.
7. Monitor a Dry Mouth
Saliva is highly essential for several reasons. It reduces particles in the mouth that cause cavities and reduces acid. Regular exercise causes dehydration during workouts; hence it is vital to hydrate adequately. In addition, sugarless gum or hard candy helps maintain the flow of saliva in the mouth, which helps to reduce the acids.
However, if you suffer from a condition where you experience a dry mouth more often than usual, speak with your dental professional.
8. Avoid Grinding Your Teeth
Grinding your upper and lower teeth weakens your enamel, especially when done at night. If this is a habit, seek immediate solutions by visiting your dentist. Several effective options can help out in this regard.
9. Avoid Foods and Drinks That Stain Enamel
Some sure edibles and drinks are harmful to your enamel because they contain pigments that can stain your teeth. These edibles and drinks, such as tomatoes, coffee, red wine, etc., also have harmful acids to your teeth as they can significantly reduce your enamel’s strength.
10. Schedule Regular Checkups
One of the most important ways to maintain healthy teeth is to visit your dentist at least once every 6 months for proper oral care. By doing this, any pending damage can be detected early and averted.
It is important to ask questions during these visits to discover the best oral care practices that’ll help you prevent weakened or damaged tooth enamel.Improve the state of your teeth; schedule a checkup with a dentist!