How to Strengthen Tooth Enamel in One Month
For the duration of your life, your teeth are continuously subjected to attack. The harmful bacteria that live in your mouth, feed on residue food particles that dwell there—especially sugar. As time passes, this results in your teeth becoming worn and you end up with weaker tooth enamel. In the worst-case scenario, you end up with tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental erosion is equally as big of a problem and this occurs when we eat acidic foods that temporarily soften tooth enamel, causing it to lose important minerals. Usually, the natural pH balance of your mouth will be restored by saliva production, but in the meantime, your tooth enamel is at risk of irreversible and permanent damage. There are a ton of factors that contribute to having weak tooth enamel including:
- An acidic/poor diet
- A dry mouth and gums
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Not brushing your teeth thoroughly or frequently
- Stress
These are just a few of the variables that can leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities, sensitivity, tooth decay, and chipping. Fortunately, you can strengthen your tooth enamel in as little as one month by making some changes to your diet and stepping up your game with regards to your oral hygiene. If your tooth enamel is beyond repair, then you will need to consult your dentist about having veneers or crowns fitted.
If you want to strengthen your tooth enamel, then take note of the following tips.
Increase Your Calcium Intake
There are many non-acidic snacks that are rich in calcium and that are good for your tooth enamel. For example, milk and yogurt strengthen and reinforce enamel while cheese contains certain ingredients that can combat the formation of cavities in your teeth. If you aren’t a fan of consuming dairy, then there are plenty of other alternatives you can select to supplement your diet with and you can also find calcium vitamin supplements at your local health store. If using supplements, try to source a product that is 100% organic and as concentrated as possible to avoid ingesting any nasties that could further damage your oral health.
Moderate Your Intake of Acidic Food and Drink
While it is true that eroded enamel cannot be restored, you can do some damage control with regards to monitoring how much you expose your teeth to acid attacks. All you need to do is to cut down on how many acidic or colored drinks you consume each day and try to drink them through a straw if possible. Drinks like soda and juices are also culprits of staining your teeth, as well as contributing to weak enamel. Water should be your main source of hydration and anything else should be a sporadic treat. With regards to food, switch out sugar for foods that are rich in fiber and more alkaline. Not only will making healthier choices help strengthen your tooth enamel, but it will also contribute to your overall health. Finally, remember to brush your teeth 30 minutes after each meal to keep your teeth and mouth in optimal condition.
Load Up on Fluoride
As an adult, you do not need to limit the amount of fluoride you use every day. In fact, you should be actively searching for products that are rich in fluoride to protect your tooth enamel from further decay. Fluoride is naturally found in certain foods and drinks and when you supplement this with toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain fluoride, you will be strengthening your teeth. If you think your enamel is really weak, or your teeth are very sensitive, visit your dentist for professional treatment.
Use a Dentist Recommended Toothpaste
There are tons of products to choose from, but in order to get the most out of the one you select, you should check that it has the necessary ingredients to strengthen your tooth enamel. If you are especially concerned about making sure you get it right, ask your dentist for their recommendation of what to buy.
Control the Build Up of Plaque
A combination of bacteria and food debris are the primary culprits of dental plaque. And while you can’t avoid plaque entirely, you can control how much is allowed to build up. Dental plaque is made up of bacteria and food debris and it is a very acidic substance. You can’t avoid plaque altogether, but you can control how much accumulates. Remember to brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis to reduce the accumulation of plaque on your teeth.
Chew Gum
But make sure that it is sugar-free! When you chew gum, it kick-starts your mouth to produce saliva, which contains the necessary minerals to strengthen tooth enamel. Sugar-free gum can also serve as a beneficial treat between meals, as you don’t have to stick to mint flavor.
Take It Easy on Your Teeth
Brushing too vigorously is never a good idea, especially not when your tooth enamel is already suffering. While it is important to thoroughly clean every inch of the surface of your teeth, you don’t want to cause your already diminishing enamel to corrode even more!
Final Thoughts
If you have strong tooth enamel not only will you reduce the risk of cavities forming, your overall oral health will be much better. You can implement all of the necessary changes you need to strengthen your tooth enamel and as long as you are consistent, you will see positive changes in as little as a month! It doesn’t matter if you feel your teeth have already deteriorated; it’s never too late to make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle. And even though you can never actually restore your enamel to full health, you can turn to your dentist to help you repair your eroded teeth.
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