Remineralizing Teeth: Is it Possible?

For most individuals, caring for their oral health means brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist twice a yr. Some folks may search out whitening merchandise or procedures to create the looks of wholesome enamel.

However is heading to the dentist for fluoride remedies and fillings the one strategy to keep away from or deal with cavities? From my analysis and expertise, it’s potential to remineralize enamel.

What’s Tooth Demineralization?

Enamel is the onerous outer layer of the enamel. It’s essentially the most mineralized and hardest substance within the human physique, even stronger than bone. Enamel performs a vital position in defending the inside layers of the enamel from decay and injury. Nevertheless, tooth demineralization occurs when tooth enamel loses minerals like calcium and phosphate.

What Causes Tooth to Lose Minerals? 

Standard dentistry says demineralization happens when the enamel floor is uncovered to acids. These acidic substances then feed on mouth micro organism, decrease pH, and break down enamel. There are just a few issues with that concept although which you’ll learn more about here.

The underside line is that sure meals do trigger tooth decay, however not like we’ve been informed. Conventional cultures didn’t even personal a toothbrush, but they’d completely white, straight, cavity-free enamel. As soon as diets elevated in sugar and decreased in wholesome fats and water-soluble nutritional vitamins cavities occurred.

The principle causes of mineral loss in enamel embrace: 

Sugar and Processed Meals 

Carbohydrates are known to contribute to tooth demineralization. While you devour sugar and high-carb meals, it depletes the vitamins you want for wholesome enamel. It particularly lowers blood phosphorous ranges wanted for cavity prevention. So whereas sugar sitting on the enamel will not be the foundation reason for your cavities, sugar positively isn’t doing us any favors! 

One research even confirmed that animals who got sugar immediately into their stomachs nonetheless received cavities. Although the sugar by no means touched their enamel. Grains and modern-day processed meals additionally deplete minerals and contribute to tooth decay.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux disorder, or gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD), causes abdomen acid to stream again into the esophagus. Typically it even will get into the mouth. Abdomen acid is highly effective (with a low pH) and may erode tooth enamel. With the enamel weakened or eroded, enamel develop into extra susceptible to different sources of acid, like foods and drinks.

Some ladies have acid reflux disorder throughout being pregnant. Together with the elevated mineral and dietary wants of rising a child, this will actually spell hassle for our enamel.

Indicators of Tooth Demineralization

The indicators of tooth demineralization can range from individual to individual. Nevertheless, there are some frequent indicators. For instance, an early signal of demineralization is white spot lesions on the tooth floor. These spots particularly appear to point out up alongside the gum line. The perimeters of the entrance enamel may begin to develop into translucent or clear with mineral loss.

Elevated sensitivity to sizzling, chilly, or candy meals and drinks additionally means weak enamel. The demineralization course of could cause the floor of the enamel to really feel tough or uneven. This will result in elevated plaque and tartar buildup, as tough surfaces are extra liable to plaque accumulation.

Over time, enamel could seem duller or barely yellow. That’s as a consequence of enamel loss exposing the dentin beneath. Superior demineralization can result in structural injury to the tooth enamel. These cavities or “dental caries” seem as darkish spots or openings within the enamel. In case you discover any of those early indicators, it might be price specializing in remineralization.

Tooth Remineralization

Tooth remineralization occurs when calcium and phosphate ions re-absorb into the tooth construction. This will occur by means of wholesome saliva or with the assist of a remineralizing toothpaste. After we eat wholesome meals vitamins like calcium and phosphate assist with remineralizing the enamel. With out sufficient diet, acids and micro organism within the mouth contribute to decay.

Way of life Suggestions for Tooth Remineralization

Tooth enamel, whereas extremely sturdy, might be broken or eroded. This injury can occur as a consequence of meals and drinks and bodily put on. 

Keep Good Oral Hygiene to Remineralize Tooth

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and remineralizing toothpaste to maintain dental plaque from accumulating. remineralizing toothpaste has a compound called hydroxyapatite. A 2019 research of youngsters discovered that hydroxyapatite toothpaste can work in addition to fluoride for stopping cavities. And it received’t trigger fluorosis and organ injury like fluoride will both!

Brush for a minimum of two minutes, overlaying all sides of your enamel, together with the entrance, again, and chewing surfaces. Utilizing the Bass brushing method works even higher for tooth and gum well being! Flossing removes plaque and meals particles between enamel and beneath the gumline, areas a toothbrush can’t attain. A healthy mouthwash can assist cut back plaque, stop gum illness, and freshen your breath. The Wellnesse Concentrated Mouthwash can also be one other wholesome possibility.

For years I made my very own toothpaste, however now I exploit this one from Wellnesse. It helps remineralize enamel and create a wholesome oral mircrobiome. In actual fact, I’ve developed an entire line of wholesome mouth merchandise from floss to remineralizing toothpaste to mouthwash.

Whereas brushing is necessary, holistic dental specialists say a nutritious diet is much more necessary to remineralize enamel.

Restrict Sugar and Starchy Meals

Restrict sugary meals and drinks that may erode enamel. This consists of meals excessive in phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that depletes minerals. A 2016 research discovered that how usually you devour sugar has a larger influence on demineralization than the entire quantity of sugar you devour. 

Fruit juices are included within the listing of sugary meals. After I was specializing in therapeutic my cavities I averted carb-rich meals like candy potatoes and fruit.

Remineralize Tooth With Mineral-Wealthy Meals

Sure meals can assist with tooth remineralization by offering important minerals. The principle ones wanted for dental well being are calcium and phosphorus. Dairy products (if tolerated) are wealthy in calcium and can assist restore minerals to the enamel. In case you don’t eat dairy, there are different methods to get your daily calcium intake. Vitamin D, K2, and magnesium are additionally necessary for wholesome enamel. 

Keep Hydrated

Ingesting loads of water washes away meals particles and helps preserve salivary stream. With out sufficient wholesome saliva, you’re extra more likely to develop tooth decay. Situations (like mouth breathing) and medicines that trigger dry mouth additionally enhance tooth decay. Ingesting water all through the day can assist hold your mouth moist and remineralize enamel.

Add Xylitol Gum or Mints

Sugar-free gum, mints, or candies made with xylitol may also be useful. Chewing gums with xylitol can stimulate the stream of mineral-rich saliva. This helps to advertise wholesome acid/alkaline stability.  Even the American Dental Affiliation (ADA) helps this observe. Based on the ADA, this elevated saliva manufacturing helps the remineralization course of.

Strive Oil Pulling to Remineralize Tooth

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic observe that includes swishing oil within the mouth for 15-20 minutes, after which spitting it out. This observe is believed to enhance oral hygiene and total well being. Swishing oil could assist cut back the variety of dangerous micro organism within the mouth. Streptococcus mutans are those concerned within the formation of cavities. I discovered I had a lot much less plaque as soon as I began oil pulling!

Keep away from Extreme Power 

Keep away from utilizing your enamel as instruments and keep away from habits like enamel grinding (bruxism). Extreme drive on enamel can hurt their construction and total dental well being.

The Backside Line on Remineralizing Tooth

Though trendy dentistry doesn’t wish to admit it, it’s potential to remineralize your enamel. Nevertheless, the method does require making a aware effort, day after day. I’ve completed it myself, and you’ll learn my expertise of stopping cavities here.

Whereas my routine has modified over time, the ideas have stayed the identical: keep away from the habits that deplete vitamins and injury enamel. Then add mineral-rich meals and wholesome fat, and use a remineralizing oral care routine every day.

Have you ever been capable of remineralize your enamel and heal cavities? What labored for you? Share with us under!