The Ultimate Guide to Remineralizing Your Teeth

If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can build up in your teeth cavity and produce acids that gradually erode your enamel.

Soda, sports drinks, citrus fruits, and even coffee are highly acidic, and if you take them frequently and in excess, they can strip the protective barrier off your enamel.

Teeth whitening itself isn’t necessarily bad, especially when done properly. However, overusing whitening products or using poorly formulated products without professional guidance can irritate the teeth and potentially contribute to enamel damage.

Hard bristles are not automatically harmful, but prolonged use, especially with excessive pressure, can contribute to enamel wear and gum recession.

Brushing harder doesn’t mean brushing better. When you brush way too aggressively, your enamel surface starts to disintegrate and over time, demineralization will commence.

Chalky white spots on the surface of the tooth are usually dull in color and are the first visible indication of demineralization of the enamel. These white spots are typically an area where the enamel is porous; however, it is not yet developed into a hole. The good news is, natural reversal of the demineralization is still possible at this stage.

Sharp pain when you consume hot, cold, or sweet foods/drinks is evidence that there may be issues with your enamel. This occurs most commonly as a result of the thinning of the enamel layer, allowing for exposure of the underlying dentine, which creates potential for sensitivity.

Enamel doesn’t really have its own color—it’s kind of see-through. What gives your teeth that yellowish look is actually the dentin underneath, which is naturally yellow. So, if your teeth start looking more yellow than before, chances are your enamel’s getting thinner.

If the texture of your teeth suddenly feels rougher than usual or you notice small chips, cracks, or uneven edges, this could be an indication that the protective outer layer of your teeth is gradually losing its strength.

Brushing and flossing every day does more for your teeth than you might think. Not only does it help with a bunch of dental problems, but it actually helps restore some of the minerals in your enamel. Just make sure you brush at least twice a day—once in the morning and again before bed.

When buying a toothpaste, check if it contain fluoride. This mineral is the primary ingredient responsible for strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities. Make sure that the toothpaste’s fluoride content is around 1,000–1,450 ppm and it carries the TDB (Türk Diş Hekimleri Birliği) seal of approval.

Consumption of sugary food and drink products should be reduced as well. Bacteria present within a person’s mouth utilize consumed sugars for food. The result is acid production by the bacteria; which attacks the tooth enamel. After consuming something containing sugar, use water to rinse your mouth so you remove some of the excess sugars and acid.

New research have shown that sugar free gum may be able to benefit your oral health. Most sugar-free gums have Xylitol and Sorbitol. These minerals are both good at washing away food particles from your teeth, and they are also very good at neutralizing acids found in your mouth.

In addition to helping your kidneys function at their best, maintaining adequate hydration has many benefits for your teeth. Since water is a naturally occurring, sugar-free substance, it helps wash out food residue as well as sugars and acids that may be present in your mouth. As you drink enough water on a regular basis, this will support saliva production. Saliva protects tooth enamel by facilitating the body’s normal remineralization of tooth enamel.

Your saliva is doing much more for your teeth than you likely realize. Saliva in your mouth aids in neutralizing the acids produced through bacterial activity and through eating. Additionally, saliva creates a thin film coating on your teeth (the pellicle) which provides additional protection against acidic attack to your enamel.

If your mouth is normally dry do not neglect this symptom. Drinking plenty of water during the day and chewing sugar free gum can help stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth.

Another alternative for supporting the remineralization of your teeth is through eating food with high levels of Calcium, Vitamin D, and Phosphorus.

These are the nutrients that help keep your teeth strong enough to repair and replace damaged or weakened tooth enamel. Foods that contain a lot of the nutrients mentioned above include eggs, nuts, fish, sardines and many types of green vegetables.

A fluoride varnish is an extremely high concentration coating that a dentist will apply to the tooth (surface) when there has been some early stage enamel erosion. The coating contains about 22,600 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride and acts as a protective barrier for the enamel giving it long-term protection.

The SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride) treatment involves applying an effective liquid solution on the surface of the tooth with active caries so as to stop its progression and initiate the remineralization process. The SDF treatment is often used for children or adults who cannot undergo traditional restorative procedure.

These are custom trays specially designed to hold remineralizing agents such as fluoride gels, MI Paste and many others. They are typically worn over the teeth, allowing the agents to be applied directly to the enamel and support the remineralization process. They are mostly used at night because that is the time saliva flow naturally decreases.