Due to many different reasons, tooth enamel can be damaged, causing teeth to become yellow and sensitive. So, what is tooth enamel, and can tooth enamel restore itself? What measures are there to help regenerate damaged tooth enamel?
Refer to the information compiled in the article below to know whether tooth enamel can restore itself and what you need to know about tooth enamel.
What is tooth enamel?
Tooth enamel is the outermost protective layer of the tooth, protecting the components that make up the life of the tooth, which are the blood vessels and nerves inside. Tooth enamel is considered a shield to help prevent dental problems such as cavities. teeth, yellow teeth , plaque on teeth… The main components of tooth enamel include calcium and phosphorus bonded together to form small, super-durable crystals. Thanks to that, tooth enamel is considered the hardest substance in the body, even harder than bone.
However, over time and due to many different factors, tooth enamel can become damaged and worn. Plaque on uncleaned teeth, acids from foods consumed, and bacteria in the mouth can contribute to tooth enamel deterioration.
Signs of damaged tooth enamel
In addition to finding the answer to the question of what tooth enamel is, many people also ask the question: is tooth enamel damaged? The answer is that like other parts of the teeth, tooth enamel is also at risk of being damaged for many different reasons.
If the enamel is damaged, the dentin layer underneath begins to show. When tooth enamel is worn or damaged, the layers inside the tooth are exposed to air, food, drinks… creating a feeling of sensitivity or pain.
There are a number of signs that can help you recognize damaged tooth enamel early to find a quick fix and avoid dental problems:
- Tooth pain and sensitivity: Tooth enamel helps protect the sensitive dentin layer underneath. When tooth enamel wears away, the dentin underneath is exposed, which can lead to pain and sensitivity , especially when eating hot or cold foods, sweets, or acidic foods.
- Teeth with milky white spots or streaks: In the early stages when tooth enamel is worn and damaged, teeth may look like they have been sandblasted or the tips of the front teeth appear milky white streaks.
- Yellow teeth: Teeth can become yellower as the enamel thins, making the underlying layer of dentin (usually yellow) more visible.
- Appearance of dents on the tooth surface: At the stage of severely damaged tooth enamel, microscopic dents will appear on the tooth surface.
- Cracked and rough tooth edges: The outer edges of teeth are at the highest risk of acid erosion. If tooth enamel continues to wear down and become damaged, the edges of the teeth can become more rounded and rough, which in the long term can lead to cracks and chips .
Can tooth enamel heal itself?
If enamel is completely lost on the tooth, the enamel cannot “grow” back on its own and there is no artificial method that can restore the lost enamel. However, your dentist can help minimize damage to your teeth after enamel loss by placing a crown on your tooth to protect it from further damage.
While it is not possible to restore lost tooth enamel, dentists can restore damaged tooth enamel through fluoride treatments. Fluoride aids in remineralization and strengthening of the outer layers of teeth.
Not only that, you can also contribute to the remineralization of tooth enamel by using toothpaste containing fluoride, which helps tooth enamel “repair” itself by replacing lost minerals.
Tell you 8 ways to protect tooth enamel
Although it is impossible to restore lost tooth enamel, there are still some measures to help protect tooth enamel as well as restore damaged tooth enamel.
1. Go to the dentist to remineralize tooth enamel with fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in many foods and water. This mineral can prevent tooth decay from progressing and even reverse or prevent early tooth decay.
For tooth enamel, fluoride has the following effects:
- Prevents loss of minerals in tooth enamel
- Replenish lost minerals in tooth enamel
- Reduces the ability of bacteria to create acid, limiting wear and damage of tooth enamel
Fluoride comes in pill or topical form. In cases where tooth enamel is damaged or worn, your dentist can apply fluoride medication directly to your teeth to naturally restore tooth enamel, making your teeth less susceptible to cavities and other damage. Additionally, your dentist may also prescribe fluoride pills for you to take as a supplement.
2. Brushing teeth properly protects tooth enamel
Brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces, reducing the risk of tooth enamel loss. Be careful that the brushing force is not too strong so as not to peel off the tooth enamel.
Besides, you should also use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush your teeth properly to limit tooth enamel wear. After brushing your teeth, you should use dental floss to completely remove plaque, debris and bacteria hidden in nooks and crannies between teeth.
3. Use toothpaste containing fluoride
As mentioned, fluoride brings many benefits to tooth enamel. Therefore, using toothpaste containing fluoride can help protect and restore damaged tooth enamel. This is the simplest way to help strengthen and remineralize tooth enamel daily.
However, currently on the market there are many creams that do not contain fluoride , so you need to choose carefully. However, you also need to consider that the amount of fluoride in toothpaste is within the prescribed and approved levels for safety and effectiveness.
Other tips to help you add fluoride to your tooth enamel
- Drink water that contains standard levels of fluoride
- Ask your dentist about using a fluoride mouthwash
4. Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum helps increase saliva production, washes away residue deposited on enamel, and keeps tooth enamel healthy. A tip for you is to choose chewing gum that contains xylitol, as this is a natural sugar alcohol that can help prevent tooth decay.
5. Limit eating sweets
Foods containing sugar and starch will be fermented by bacteria in the oral cavity and produce acid, thereby breaking down tooth enamel. Therefore, to protect tooth enamel, you should adopt a diet that reduces sugar.
Friendly tips to protect tooth enamel:
- Limit snacking between meals to reduce the number of times acid attacks your teeth, giving your tooth enamel time to “repair” the damage.
- Limit drinking fruit juice.
- Don’t eat or drink anything sugary after brushing your teeth before going to bed. Saliva flow decreases during sleep. Without enough saliva, teeth are less able to repair themselves after an acid attack.
6. Use a straw to drink acidic drinks
Acid can erode tooth enamel. Therefore, if you drink soda, orange juice and other acidic drinks, use a straw to minimize contact with tooth surfaces.
7. Drink plenty of water to protect tooth enamel
Drinking enough water regularly throughout the day helps wash away plaque, bacteria and leftover food that sticks to your teeth and damages tooth enamel. Furthermore, proper hydration can also help reduce the risk of tooth enamel loss in people with dry mouth.
8. Go for regular dental check-ups
Regular dental examinations not only help detect early signs of tooth enamel damage, but also help prevent and treat tooth enamel wear. Your dentist may recommend:
- Remove plaque from teeth
- Tooth fillings are decayed and worn
- Apply fluoride gel or fluoride varnish (if necessary).
