Clearing Up the Confusion: Can Tooth Enamel Be Saved or Repaired?

There is a lot of confusion in the world about tooth enamel. On the one hand, you have companies and dental professionals telling you that it cannot grow back and that once it is lost, it is lost forever. Then you have toothpaste companies claiming that their toothpaste can strengthen enamel. Which is true?

The bad news is that tooth enamel does not grow back. This is why as a person ages, their teeth look smaller, thinner, and greyer. As their enamel wears away, the darker-colored dentin underneath begins to show through.

How Enamel Erodes

Enamel is eaten away over time by things you eat and drink. Some foods and drinks are worse than others. For example, coffee, soda, alcohol, and candy can all speed up the process at which enamel erodes. So can tobacco products. That said, there are some things you can do to slow down the erosion of your enamel.

Saving Your Tooth Enamel

You cannot prevent 100% of erosion unless you stop eating and drinking, which is not an option. Instead, you can reduce the amount of the foods and drinks we’ve listed as culprits. Tobacco is the worst, so if you are smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco, then you should stop immediately. Not only do they eat away at the enamel, but the tar will stain your teeth – not to mention increase your chances of developing gum disease.

You can also limit the amount of sugary foods you eat. Why? Because sugar becomes acid when it is mixed with your saliva – and that acid eats away at your teeth’s enamel. Remember that the same thing happens with other carbohydrates, too. As far as coffee goes, try sipping it instead of swirling it around in your mouth to reduce the contact it has with your teeth – and do the same thing with soda. In fact, if you can drink through a straw, then you will be in even better shape.

Keep Chewing

Did you know that saliva is essentially your body’s natural toothpaste? Anything you can do to increase saliva production can help protect your enamel. For example, if you chew sugar-free gum after eating, it will help increase your saliva. Likewise, make sure that you are staying hydrated so that you naturally create more saliva.

We Can Help You Protect Your Enamel

If you are worried about protecting your enamel, or if you have already noticed your enamel wearing away and require cosmetic dentistry help, then we suggest you contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161. We can set up an appointment to thoroughly check your teeth and find the best way to protect your gums, enamel, and your teeth themselves. Call today so we can begin right away.