Tooth demineralization occurs when the tooth’s enamel wears away. While it happens naturally as we age, there are things we do that speed up the process. Smoking, eating sugary foods, and poor dental hygiene all deteriorate tooth enamel.
As a Tufts University expert notes, once you lose tooth enamel, it doesn’t just “grow back.” However, we can protect weakened areas of the enamel and remineralize, or strengthen the teeth.
You can remineralize your teeth by brushing or rinsing with mineral-based oral care products that prevent tooth decay by bonding with teeth enamel. This procedure is not a one-and-done type fix; it’s a process that should become part of your routine oral care.
How You Can Tell If Your Teeth Have Demineralized
Signs of demineralization include discoloration and increased sensitivity. However, you should visit your dentist to confirm. If the tooth enamel loss is severe, your dentist might recommend bonding or crowns, even if you don't have a cavity. These preventive measures can protect your teeth from bacteria and decay.
Who Needs Remineralization?
As we age, our teeth wear down, particularly if we fail to practice good oral care. People who don’t brush and floss regularly or go for regular dental visits have a higher chance of demineralization of their teeth.
Some medical conditions, like diabetes, can increase a person's risk for demineralization and tooth decay. People who suffer from chronic dry mouth, due to medication or poor health are also at risk for demineralization.
In fact, dry mouth is one of the main causes of demineralized teeth. The reason is our saliva remineralizes our teeth naturally because it contains calcium and phosphate, two minerals that aid teeth and bone structure. If you suffer from dry mouth, speak with your primary care physician and your dentist about treatments. A change in medication can often resolve the issue; other times, your doctor might prescribe lozenges or gum for dry mouth.
People who’ve had radiation treatments in areas above the shoulders should speak with their dentists about remineralization. Long-term smokers and tobacco chewers should also talk to their dentists about repairing damage caused by these habits.
How You Can Remineralize Your Teeth
The first step to protecting your teeth is to identify what you are doing that contributes to the erosion of your tooth enamel which might include:
● Using tobacco products
● Eating starchy or sugary foods
● Consuming fruits and fruit juices
● Chewing gum
● Consuming dairy
Reducing or eliminating the causes of your demineralization goes hand in hand with an excellent oral care routine. While you can take steps to prevent further demineralization, you can also do things at the same time to remineralize your teeth.
Fluoride is the best defense against tooth decay, and we get it by drinking water and using oral care products. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, fluoride does three essential things: prevents mineral loss, replaces lost minerals, and fights bacteria.
● Drink fluoridated water. Most communities in the United States have water supplies that contain fluoride. If you use a water filter at home and/or workplace, drink bottled water, or if your home has a well, chances are you might not be getting enough fluoride.
● Use fluoride toothpaste. Using a pea-size dose of toothpaste two times a day should give you the basic daily recommended amount of fluoride.
● Add a mouth rinse that prevents tooth decay. If your community water system lacks fluoride, or if you drink a lot of bottled water this step is extremely important. Use once daily or as recommended by your dentist.
● Get fluoride treatments from your dentist. Because people of all ages benefit from fluoride, the American Dental Association recommends that adolescents and adults speak with their dentists about professional fluoride treatments. The procedure typically costs $10 to $30, takes a few minutes, and adds an extra layer of protection.
The bottom line is tooth demineralization happens to almost everyone to varying degrees. The better your oral care hygiene, the stronger your teeth will be and the less loss you’ll experience.
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