Restoring tooth enamel is not an easy process. However, if you take the problem seriously, you can get good results even at home.
Enamel is made up of calcium, fluoride and other mineral elements. It keeps your teeth smooth and shiny and protects them from the effects of food acids and mechanical damage. As the body ages and undergoes adverse conditions, the enamel can become yellow and thin and lose its luster. Carious stains appear on its surface. The result is increased tooth sensitivity and the possibility of tooth decay.
Enamel characteristics are different from person to person. The thicker it is, the longer the health of your teeth will last. The thickness of the enamel varies in different parts of the tooth: it is thicker on the chewing surface, while it is slightly thinner near the roots.
Negative factors affecting the enamel from the outside and inside change the ratio of the tooth enamel components. The lack of minerals contributes to the thinning of enamel, increasing its porosity. The cavities created are filled with the coloring components of food, which causes discoloration, loss of protective qualities and breakage.
Why Tooth Enamel Erosion Occurs
There are a number of conditions that can cause gradual damage to enamel:
- Hereditary predisposition – the likelihood of dental problems in children is greatly increased if the parents had them;
- Diabetes and GI disease contribute to enamel damage;
- Uneven loading and excessive tooth abrasion cause a bad bite;
- Improperly selected toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing with excessive pressure;
- Saliva composition and quantity changed by certain foods;
- Abuse of foods containing substances that dissolve enamel (e.g. citrus fruits).
How Do You Fix Tooth Enamel Erosion?
Tooth enamel cannot regenerate on its own, but in the initial stage of damage, it can be strengthened on its own and produce good results. If the destruction of enamel is not the result of a disease, you can take care of its restoration on your own. To do this, use gels and special pastes, folk remedies.
It is necessary:
- Make a complete diet that includes products rich in fluoride and calcium;
- Minimize or eliminate bad habits that negatively affect the condition of teeth.
Consult a dentist beforehand to:
- Make sure there are no carious areas or enamel lesions, which cannot be restored on their own;
- Get help choosing an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste.
How to Restore Tooth Enamel at Home
In the initial stages of enamel deterioration, you can do the restoration yourself. The existing methods for this should be applied carefully, it is desirable to consult a doctor beforehand.
Special toothpastes
You can buy toothpaste with a therapeutic effect, restoring enamel. These products contain special ingredients:
- Calcium lactate, which fills micropores and eliminates cracks;
- Sodium fluoride, which forms a protective film on the surface of enamel;
- Phosphate complex, aligning and saturating the tooth enamel;
- Increased content of calcium, which fills the dentinal canals;
- Pastes with phosphate and calcium to regenerate dental tissues
- Mineral complex with potassium ions for a remineralizing effect;
- Formulations with magnesium, phosphorus and calcium ions, with sea salt;
- With a complex of medicinal herbs, contributing to the building up of enamel and activation of blood circulation in the gums.
How remineralization products are used
Special remineralizing agents can be purchased in the pharmacy without a prescription. These products successfully restore enamel in the early stages of damage:
- The compound should be spread with a brush as you would with a regular toothbrush, keep it in your mouth for at least a minute;
- Do not eat for 40 minutes and do not drink after the procedure.
Using a Soft Brush
If there is enamel deterioration, dentists recommend not using stiff brushes because the coarse bristles are involved in the enamel abrasion process, preventing strengthening. This measure is effective only during treatment.
After the restorative course of treatment it is necessary to replace the brush with a hard one, preferably an electric one, which removes plaque better.
Gum massage
The purpose of the massage is to saturate the enamel with nutrients, activation of blood circulation. The action is performed with the fingers, moving them in a circular motion.
Balanced nutrition
It is a preventive action that strengthens the structure of the enamel and protects against problems:
- Rough foods – raw fruits and vegetables saturate the body with vitamins and promote cleansing;
- Dairy products are rich in fluoride and calcium;
- Eggs – good for vitamin D;
- Meat and fish – give the body protein to restore tooth enamel and protect against pathogens;
- It is useful to include green tea in the menu.
Folk remedies
- A mix of garlic juice and beet.
- Gargling with a solution of baking soda.
- Brushing teeth with wood ash or crushed activated charcoal.
- Using the inside of lemon peels to wipe and treat enamel (there is an aggressive effect on enamel).
- Propolis extract solution – you need to rinse your teeth regularly, morning and evening, without skipping exposure. To enhance the effect, calamus extract is added.
- Gargle with sea salt.
- You can use decoctions of herbs to strengthen the enamel and improve its color.
Advantages of using folk medicine:
- No side effects;
- Available components;
- Inexpensive.
In the case of pronounced destruction of enamel, it is impossible to correct the situation on your own. It is recommended to consult a doctor for professional restoration.