Can Tooth Enamel be Restored?

Tooth enamel is the outermost covering of your teeth. It’s the part that can chip or crack, and it’s what rots away when you get a cavity. Tooth enamel is precious, and part of what makes it that way is that once it’s gone, you can’t get it back. You have what you have, and whether by injury, accident, genetics, or poor flossing habits you can’t make more. What you can do is strengthen and preserve the enamel you have.

Why Tooth Enamel Can’t Regenerate

Unfortunately, tooth enamel can’t regenerate because there are no living cells inside of it. When you break a bone, the part of the bone that knits together is the living cells from the inside. Your tooth enamel doesn’t have any of that. When your teeth emerge from your gums when you get your adult teeth, that’s the most enamel you’re ever going to have.

Remineralization Food and Drink

You can’t grow new enamel or naturally fill in gaps, but you can strengthen weakened enamel through a process called remineralization. As acid from bacteria in your mouth softens your enamel, it loses its resilience and becomes soft. Thankfully, it can still be strengthened by what you eat and drink in addition to the toothpaste you use.

Drinking plenty of fluoride enhanced water is a great way to combat demineralization. Fluoride is commonly added to tap water since it has no flavor or color, and can be used to harden enamel. You can also eat foods that are low in sugars and starches, as these foods turn to acid in your mouth. Avoid sweet snacks and overly processed foods, especially if you can’t brush soon after eating them.

Proper Oral Hygiene Tips

Brushing is a great way to remineralize your enamel. In addition to scraping away plaque and the bacteria that cause tooth decay, remineralize your teeth while brushing improves the health of your teeth. Use toothpaste enhanced with fluoride to be sure you’re getting the best remineralization.

Also, make sure you’re using a soft bristled brush. Some people feel that their teeth are cleaner when they use a hard-bristled brush. However, the stiffness of the bristles may cause you to damage any softened or weakened enamel that you may have. Carry a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste so you can quickly brush after lunch, even when you’re at work. Brushing for at least two minutes after every meal helps ensure that you’re not letting your enamel get soft in the first place.

Tooth enamel isn’t a renewable resource. For this reason, you want to make sure that you take care of yours with regular, thorough brushing. Also, be sure to drink fluoride enhanced water and eat low sugar foods–at least most of the time. If you think you might have weak enamel, contact our offices today.