Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, and is a crucial barrier, working to protect the softer inner layers of each tooth from damage, decay, or infection.
In general, enamel is very good at its job! It’s the hardest substance in the human body, and stays strong even through daily use and wear.
The two main elements of tooth enamel are calcium and phosphorus. Ninety-five percent of your enamel is composed of these minerals, which combine to form ultra-strong crystallites (tiny crystals). Your enamel is made up of proteins (1%), and water (4%) the remainder.
However, that doesn't mean that it is completely impervious to damage. When the enamel erodes - due to outside factors, damage, or just over time - there can be negative consequences for your dental health and hygiene.
While these can be simply cosmetic, such as discoloration, enamel wear can also lead to more serious outcomes such as tooth sensitivity, cavities, and tooth infection. Additionally, once the damage has been done, enamel cannot regenerate on its own.
That’s why it’s so important to protect your enamel! But that’s not to say there are no options to restore damaged enamel. If you’re looking to learn how to maintain healthy enamel, as well as what to do when something goes wrong, you’re in the right place!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including:
- Preventative measures
- Things to avoid
- At home solutions to worn enamel
- Dental interventions for worn enamel
- And more!
Let’s get right into it, so you can have a stronger smile in no time!
Protecting Your Enamel – Prevention is Key
The easiest way to keep your enamel healthy is to minimize wear in the first place. The biggest step you can take in protecting your enamel is keeping up a good oral hygiene regimen.
This means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and making routine trips to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings.
If you have an irregular oral health condition, such as weakened enamel or teeth grinding, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent enamel erosion.
However, there are a few other crucial tips to protecting your enamel you may not have considered:
Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods/Drinks
The main cause of tooth decay is acid released by the bacteria in plaque build up.
Sugary and starching foods cause the most plaque build up, which in turn heightens your risk of tooth decay.
Additionally, acidic foods mimic the substances produced by the bacteria, and can cause wear on the teeth themselves. Some of the most common offenders include:
- Sodas, and other carbonated beverages
- High sugar sports drinks
- Citrus fruits and fruit juices
- Sour candies
- Desserts and other sweet treats
Don’t worry though, you don’t have to stop ever having these treats! Just try and limit your consumption, or go for a less sugary option. Drinking sodas and other corrosive drinks through straws can also help mitigate some of the risk.
Hydrate with Water
Drinking plenty of water is great for your overall health and well being, and it’s great for your oral health too!
Drinking water helps to wash away acids and food particles that are harmful for your enamel. It also stimulates saliva production, which helps to keep your mouth clean.
Choosing water over other drinks also minimizes your exposure to sugary or corrosive drinks like those mentioned above. It’s especially important to only drink water after brushing your teeth before bed.
Wait Before Brushing
While brushing right after eating might seem like the right thing to do, it’s actually best to wait at least half an hour, especially after consuming something acidic.
Since the acids weaken the enamel, brushing immediately after eating can cause microabrasions and damage to the surface of your teeth.
While you wait, it’s a good idea to drink some water to help flush the acids out of your mouth. For those who have dry mouth, maintaining adequate water can also help lower the chance of enamel erosion.
End Meals with Cheese
Cheese and other dairy products are full of calcium and phosphates that help to strengthen your teeth over time.
Cheese also contains casein, which can help to protect the enamel from acids and other damaging substances. Eating cheese also stimulates saliva production, which washes away harmful bacteria and food debris.
That makes it a great choice to eat at the end of a meal! Other great options to include in your diet to help your enamel and overall oral health are fiber rich fruits and veggies, green and black teas, and sugar-free gum!
Use Gentle Products
While brushing your teeth is a must, over brushing or brushing too harshly can be damaging for your enamel, as well as your gums.
Make sure to choose a soft bristled toothbrush, and to brush in firm but gentle circles, rather than a side to side scrubbing motion. It’s also important to be cautious with at home cosmetic whitening treatments.
Some can contain harsh bleaching agents, which weaken the enamel and can cause increased sensitivity.
Whitening toothpastes can also contain abrasive agents, which can damage the enamel, especially if overused. If in doubt, consider using Boka's non-toxic teeth whitening toothpaste.
Make sure to consult with your dentist and always use products as advised. There are also gentle, bleach free whitening products available that may help mitigate some of the risk.
Seek Help for Aggravating Conditions
One of the most damaging substances to your tooth enamel is stomach acid, as it’s very harsh. If you’ve been dealing with persistent acid reflux (or GERD), you’re not alone - it’s a very common issue!
There are over the counter remedies, as well as diet and lifestyle changes, that work well for most to minimize or eliminate acid reflux - and help out your enamel in the process!
There are also several mental health conditions that are likely to increase the prevalence of vomiting.
If you’ve been struggling, reach out to trusted friends or family, your doctor, or a mental health professional.
There are also many hotlines and resources available online for mental health struggles, including those that may affect your enamel, such as these for bulimia and alcohol use disorder.
Remineralizing Compromised Enamel
Remineralization is how your body works to repair damage and wear to your enable. Minerals like calcium and phosphate get released when you salivate, and build back up to strengthen your teeth.
They do this by forming the compound hydroxyapatite, which forms the hard surface of the enamel.
It’s crucial to make sure you have plenty of calcium and phosphate in your diet to allow this process to work effectively.
However, there are also additional steps you can take to aid remineralization.
n-Ha is Your Ally
Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Ha) is a small particle form of hydroxyapatite - the substance that makes up the enamel, as well as a large percentage of the dentine (the second, softer, layer of the tooth.)
When you use a toothpaste or other dental hygiene product using n-Ha, these small particles can fill in the tiny gaps in your enamel caused by wear and use.
This process functions almost identically to the natural remineralization of your enamel, and can massively help to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum with Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is often found in sugar free gum, mints, and as a flavoring for oral hygiene products.
Using sugar-free products protects your enamel as it minimizes bacteria production from sugar.
However, the benefits of xylitol are much greater than just avoiding sugar! Xylitol has been shown to reduce acid bacteria in your mouth by up to 90%, leading to a much reduced chance of plaque build up and tooth decay.
Additionally, it triggers saliva production, which aids in remineralization and further reduction of bacterial build-up. Using a gum with xylitol increases saliva production further, as you simulate eating with the chewing motion.
One thing to note - while xylitol is safe and beneficial for humans, it can be deadly for dogs and other animals. Make sure to keep any xylitol based products out of reach of your pets.
Consider Enamel-Boosting Products
If you’re concerned about the wear to your enamel, you may want to look into enamel boosting products, including toothpastes, mouthwashes, and gels.
Products that encourage remineralization, like n-Ha based toothpastes, are a great place to start, but there are many products out there, so shop around and find what works for you and your teeth!
Talk to Your Dentist about Supplements
In some cases, your teeth may not be remineralizing efficiently due to a deficiency in nutrients like calcium or vitamin D.
While normally these can be addressed by dietary intervention, if you’re experiencing rapid wear, speak to a dentist about supplements.
When Prevention Isn't Enough - Professional Options
If you’ve already undergone significant enamel loss, prevention and home remineralization may not be enough to meet your needs.
If this is the case, there are dental procedures available to strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay, as well as improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.
Dental Bonding
For more minor imperfections, dental bonding is the most likely course of action your dentist will take.
This process involves taking a color matched resin, and applying it to the area of your tooth that needs to be filled - such as a cavity, chip, or enamel wear.
The resin is then sealed and bonded to the surface of your tooth, and polished to match.
Veneers
If you have significant damage to many of your teeth, veneers may be the appropriate solution.
Veneers are made from composite or porcelain, and act as a shell covering the entirety of the tooth. You can get a single veneer for a damaged tooth, or a full set for badly damaged teeth, or as a cosmetic enhancement.
It’s important to note that if you’re getting full veneers, this is a permanent procedure, as your teeth may have to be shaved down to get them to sit correctly.
Dr. Anjum Chaudhary, BDS, MDS explains that when the minerals in your teeth are lost, the enamel becomes weakened and deteriorates gradually. W
hile your body cannot produce new enamel, it has the ability to strengthen and restore existing enamel through a natural process called remineralization.
This process occurs when essential minerals such as phosphate, calcium, and fluoride help to reunite and strengthen your enamel. To support the remineralization process, follow these recommendations:
- Using n-Ha toothpaste twice a day for tooth brushing.
- Every day, use floss or an interdental device to clean the spaces between your teeth.
- Stay away from starchy, sugary, and acidic foods.
- Chewing sugar-free gum and consuming a lot of water can increase saliva production.
- Discuss any underlying disease or drugs you may be taking with your dentist in order to prevent enamel degradation.
Conclusion
Your enamel is an important protective barrier to your oral and overall health. While some wear is normal over time, you can minimize it by taking preventative measures and aiding the remineralization process.
One of the most effective products on the market for both maintenance and remineralization is n-Ha based toothpastes - why not give it a go?
Boka toothpastes use n-Ha as their active ingredient, protecting and remineralizing enamel while keeping teeth looking good and mouth feeling fresh!
They also contain other enamel friendly ingredients, including green tea and xylitol. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult with your dentist.
They can make product and care regimen recommendations, as well as perform dental procedures if needed. Good luck and keep on smiling!