Cavities, gum disease, and teeth discoloration are just a few unwanted consequences from our day to day activities. But it isn’t hopeless. You may be able to prevent and reverse some of the damage done to your teeth naturally. Read on to find out how.

Demineralization & Your Teeth

Demineralization is the breakdown of your teeth that weakens them over time. It’s a natural process that happens if we aren’t diligent about our daily dental hygiene. Essentially, you have an outer layer of your teeth (enamel) and an inner layer (dentin). The enamel is the pearly, white covering of your teeth. It breaks down when sugars combine with bacteria in your mouth to create acid. This acidic environment is hazardous for the health of your teeth and gums. Plaque forms, which can cause gums to recede or become inflamed and can lead to decay in your teeth (cavities). Weakened teeth are more prone to cavities and chipping. If you want your teeth to remain strong for life, you’ll need to be diligent about remineralizing them.

How to Remineralize Teeth

There are two strong contributors to the remineralization of teeth. They are saliva and fluoride. Saliva is the mouth’s natural rinse. It contains calcium and phosphate ions that help to neutralize the effects of acid. Fluoride is a mineral that is found in our tap water and many kinds of toothpaste. This substance helps to rebuild and remineralize teeth, keeping them strong and durable. Beyond making sure you have a good production of saliva for teeth rinsing and are brushing with a fluoride-containing toothbrush, there are other ways to help teeth remineralize.

• Drink plenty of water between meals. This will help rinse out your mouth and get rid of food particles. It’s especially important if you’re prone to dry mouth.
• Make sure to brush and floss daily.
• Cut back on refined starches and sugar. If there’s less sugar, there will be less acid and plaque, giving the teeth less to protect themselves from.
• Ask us about fluoride treatments to help boost your teeth’s defense system.

If you have any questions about how to strengthen and repair your teeth naturally, let us know. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Remember that maintaining your routinely scheduled dental visits are a must for the lifelong health of your teeth, so don’t skip seeing us!