Whenever you eat your favorite snack, what is the thing that helps you chew that? Your teeth, right? When you try to open a pack of sweets but can’t find a scissor (although wrong), the first thing you would do is open it using your teeth. Teeth are one of the essential tools that help you do tons of tasks. But do you know you can hurt them unintentionally?
Your tooth enamel is the hardest thing on your body. The tooth enamel consists of bone and dentin and some essential minerals such as calcium and phosphate. These vital nutrients are what keep your teeth safe from cavities and other oral damages. Over time, eating sweet foods, sugary beverages, and other external factors can damage your tooth enamel.
So, Can You Regrow Tooth Enamel?
The problem with tooth enamel is that it is non-living tissue, and it isn’t possible to regenerate it naturally.
However, there are various natural ways to strengthen your teeth and give you a reason to smile.
The reduction of minerals in your tooth enamel happens due to age and oral hygiene. This process is known as demineralization that weakens your tooth enamel and makes your teeth prone to dental decay. Eating is not an issue here, but not cleaning your teeth and following improper hygiene is terrible. When you don’t brush your teeth after a meal or before going to bed, the food residues promote bacterial growth, and they combine with the acid to eat away the tooth enamel.
Changes to eating habits and lifestyle can help make your tooth enamel stronger. Here in this article, you will learn 12 natural and effective ways to strengthen your teeth and hit the road to improved oral health.
Ways To Strengthen Your Teeth Enamel
Eat Foods Rich in Minerals
The best approach to strengthen the tooth enamel is to give it what it is losing – minerals. Enriching your teeth with vital minerals is known as remineralization. Following an oral hygiene routine that includes brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing once will keep the teeth safe from plaque but is not enough to make up for the eroded enamel. Therefore to strengthen your weakened tooth enamel naturally, eat foods that are rich in minerals.
Calcium-rich foods
- Soft cheese
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Yogurt
- Almonds
>Foods that contain high amounts of phosphorous
- Eggs
- Lean meat
- Fish
- Beans
Also, don’t forget about drinking your glass of milk as it’s one of the best natural ways to strengthen your teeth, protect tooth enamel, and fight off tooth decay.
Aim For Improved Digestion
Eating a healthy and mineral-rich diet will not do any good if your body doesn’t properly absorb them. Good digestion is necessary for proper remineralization that, in turn, strengthens the teeth and makes them grow stronger. Things that can negatively impact your absorption include alcohol, processed foods, and certain medicines. Also, please don’t take too much stress as it can also hurt your digestion.
Boost up your cleaning habits
The best way to strengthen your teeth is to keep them clean. As recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once is essential to keep your teeth healthy and shining. Brushing removes the harmful bacteria and plaque buildup that is necessary to help strengthen the lost tooth enamel. However, while doing so, most people often forget to clean their tongue. Brush your tongue to eliminate the bacteria and enjoy a cleaner and fresher breath.
Drink Plenty of Water
Just like you spray your car’s windshield with water to remove debris, your teeth and gums also need water to eradicate the food particles and lingering bacteria. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day or swishing your mouth with water after meals can do the trick. Moreover, it neutralizes the acids produced by mouth bacteria.
Not taking enough liquid will keep your mouth dry and elevate your chances of getting tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water enhances saliva production and naturally strengthen your teeth enamel by washing them with vital minerals.
Get help from sugar-free gum.
Chewing sugar-free gum is another effective way of strengthening your weakened tooth enamel. When you chew, your salivary glands work harder and produce more saliva that prevents dry mouth. Keep a pack of sugar-free gums in your pocket so that if you’re out having lunch with your buddies or on a date and you can’t brush your teeth, your oral health is not compromised. Chewing gum produces more saliva that naturally washes away the food debris and bacteria residing in your mouth.
Consume More Calcium And Vitamins To Strengthen The Enamel On Your Teeth
To replace the lost calcium on your teeth, eat foods that are rich in calcium, such as calcium-rich cheese. Vitamin D supplements work as knights and help your teeth fight against tooth decay and other issues. Phosphorous does wonder for your oral health and naturally protects and rebuilds the enamel of your teeth. Vitamin A found in cantaloupe, carrots, squash, and broccoli keeps the gums healthy and plays a vital role in naturally building the tooth enamel.
If you are unclear about what multivitamins to take, you can consult your nutritionist or schedule an appointment with your dentist at Pearl Shine Dental. An expert can examine your teeth and recommend what is right for your teeth and overall health. If you have any additional questions on making your teeth stronger, your doctor can answer them during the consultation.
Strengthening Teeth Naturally
Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is an ancient technique that requires you to put one tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth and swish for at least 20 minutes. This technique is very effective at keeping your teeth clean and eliminating plaque buildup. Moreover, oil pulling also washes away the mouth bacteria and prevents it from clinging back to your teeth. Routinely practicing oil pulling will improve the condition of your tooth enamel and oral health.
Keep an eye on the side issues.
If you have frequent heartburns and acid reflux, there are high chances that your tooth enamel will quickly erode. These conditions aren’t only bad for your oral health, but if left untreated for long, they can lead to severe health issues. Consult a gastroenterologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Teeth grinding or clenching can cause wear and tear on your teeth and erode the tooth enamel. People experience it during the day or while sleeping. The symptoms that indicate if you have the habit of grinding your teeth include facial ache, jaw pain, and damaged teeth. Your dentist might recommend wearing a mouth guard to minimize the effects of this condition.
Never Miss Out On Your Dental Sessions
Regularly seeing your dentist keeps you aware of your oral condition, which is necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. During the session, the dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and detect any possible diseases. When plaque buildup on your teeth is not paid much attention to, it turns into a more vital form – tartar, also known as calcium buildup. This happens when the bacterial layer on the teeth eats up the calcium and other minerals from food debris and saliva and solidifies on the tooth surface. Simple brushing is not enough to remove calculus, and you’ll need professional cleaning to eliminate the hardened plaque.
Refrain from Refined Sugar
Bacteria and acid that linger on your teeth cause plaque and subsequent cavities. Refined sugar is the prime source of this harmful acid and leads to various other health issues such as diabetes and heart diseases. Refraining from sugar will keep your teeth safe by cutting off the food supply to the damage-causing bacteria. Additionally, you can take vitamins such as iron, magnesium, and vitamin B and D to keep your teeth safe from cavities.
Avoid Snacking During the Day
Providing the bacteria on your teeth with a constant supply of food will only make them stronger. In turn, it will produce more acid, and the damage to your tooth enamel will be more significant. Keeping your stomach empty will not only allow your enamel to strengthen, but it will also put the digestive system at rest. If you really want a snack, make sure to wash your mouth with water afterward thoroughly.
It’s Better To Stay Away From Acidic Fruits And Juices
Everyone loves fruits and juices, and they are also a part of a healthy diet plan. However, some fruits can cause damage to your oral health. Citrus fruits such as orange and grapefruits can contribute to calcium chelation, resulting in calcium loss in the teeth.
The best way to prevent tooth enamel degeneration is by staying away from acidic fruits and juices and only taking them in moderate amounts and occasions.
Best Toothpaste To Strengthen & Rebuild Enamel
A remineralization toothpaste can play a vital role in building the enamel of a tooth. The best toothpaste to restore enamel is the one that contains sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, and calcium phosphate. What these fantastic ingredients do is strengthen the weakened tooth enamel by filling the worn out spaces. These enamel strengthening toothpastes also help stop additional damage to your teeth by preventing cavities. However, this is only effective if you practice a proactive oral hygiene routine (brushing and flossing your teeth after eating).
When choosing a toothpaste to rebuild your enamel, it’s best to talk to your dentist. Expert advice is always better than a DIY pick. For some patients, the best choice for strengthening tooth enamel is the prescription remineralizing toothpaste. They contain more fluoride and penetrate deeper into the tooth’s root.
Choose a toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This seal indicates high safety and effectiveness standards that are important for any enamel hardening toothpaste.
Always go for a well-known toothpaste brand that shows the transparency of its ingredients. Carefully look over the ingredients to make sure you aren’t allergic to them. Some elements that can cause issues are mint, orange, grape, and cinnamon.
Schedule An Appointment With Your Dentist
If you’re planning to add or remove something from your diet or lifestyle for the sake of your oral health, it’s always best to consult a dental professional. For more detailed insights on tooth enamel strengthening, book your consultation with the experts at Pearl Shine Dental. Call our office today at 281-477-7200.