Can You Restore Tooth Enamel Naturally?

As we age, our bone matter, including teeth, can begin to erode. The tooth’s outer layer, known as enamel, is often affected the most. From plaque bacteria to trauma, enamel is in an ongoing battle to ensure that the innermost layers of your teeth remain intact. If your outer layer is weakened, here are a few tips on how to restore tooth enamel naturally.

How to Restore Tooth Enamel

If your enamel undergoes too much damage, or if a tooth is chipped or cracked, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to strengthen enamel back to its natural state. However, in cases when your enamel is slightly weakened or tooth decay is still in its “pre-cavity” stage, you can take certain measures to ensure that your enamel rehardens naturally.

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste: When enamel is weak, it requires minerals such as calcium to begin rebuilding itself. Use a remineralizing toothpaste infused with fluoride, the only ingredient known to effectively strengthen teeth. Crest’s Gum & Enamel Repair Advanced Whitening can help repair enamel, neutralize bacteria and polish off surface stains.
• Sugar-free gum: Sugars promote bacterial growth, so be sure to choose a sugar-free option. Gum with no sugars stimulates saliva production to better wash away harmful plaque bacteria.
• Try a fluoride mouthwash: Up your oral care routine with a specialized rinse that fortifies your enamel. Bacteria and sugars are swished away while remineralizing qualities are hard at work.

The remineralization process usually takes about 3-4 months to take effect. However, once you begin to better fortify your enamel, you may start to see stronger teeth, experience less sensitivity and reveal a whiter smile.

Remineralizing Enamel Before it’s Lost

If your enamel has been damaged beyond repair, it will never reharden naturally. That’s why following a thorough oral hygiene routine is crucial. Without a protective layer of enamel, your smile becomes vulnerable to staining, sensitivity and decay. These simple steps can help to ensure that your enamel remains strong:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste such as Crest Gum & Enamel Repair.
• Brush for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes every time.
• Try brushing in between meals when possible.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Rinse with a fluoride-infused, remineralizing mouthwash.
• Keep up with regular dentist or dental hygienist appointments.
• Avoid sugary or starchy foods.
• Stay hydrated.
• Maintain a balanced diet high in proteins and greens.

If you’re worried that your enamel has been stripped away, see your dentist as soon as possible. If decay spreads and leads to infection, your dentist may need to extract the tooth entirely if it’s beyond repair. Several in-office treatments can help to reinforce your smile if damage does occur, before it becomes irreversible.

Now, go ahead and take care of that beautiful smile. To learn more about this sponsor and other health tips, visit The Kroger Wellness Festival site!

^{Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not meant to provide healthcare recommendations. Please see a healthcare provider.}