As you grow older, it’s normal to experience a reduction of minerals, such as phosphate and calcium present in the teeth. These minerals make the enamel of the teeth strong, useable, and attractive. So what happens to them as you grow older? The accumulation of acid due to dieting and microorganisms’ compound effects over the years cause the minerals to decline, making remineralization necessary.
What Is Remineralization?
It is common knowledge that human teeth lose their vitality as they age. However, the good news is that you can do certain practices and home remedies to reintroduce and replenish lost minerals to teeth, resulting in stronger enamel and teeth. This process is called remineralization. It is mostly not a painful process. It just involves adopting lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet and proper oral care.
Why is Teeth Remineralization Necessary?
Just in case you are still wondering whether remineralizing your teeth is really necessary or it’s just a fad. Then you need to know that leaving your teeth the chance can be risky. You may end up losing several teeth to root decay and subsequently have to do teeth replacement. However, going for remineralization early can prevent this. Here are more benefits of opting for this process.
Heals Cavities and Corrects Tooth Decay
One of the most obvious reasons people remineralize their teeth is that they are beginning to experience tooth pain, or worse, they already have tooth decay. Cavity pain is caused by the active presence of microorganisms like the Streptococcus spp, which feeds on the minerals in the teeth, hence the general loss of minerals. If you are beginning to feel toothache you may be wondering if your tooth is broken and how to fix a cracked tooth naturally. By engaging in practices that increase the available minerals in your teeth, your cavity has a chance to heal up.
Stronger Teeth
Just in case you presently have healthy teeth and feel that teeth' remineralization isn't what you need, you should consider doing it to strengthen your enamel. You can never have an excess of calcium and vitamins in your teeth. Instead, the more minerals are present, the stronger your teeth will be.
Pain Eradication
If you have teeth trauma, or you've been feeling pains in your teeth without any real explanation, remineralizing your teeth can help make the pain go away. Besides, remineralization has been noted to tackle unpleasant toothaches.
Reduce Mouth Odor
Not everyone can boast of having no mouth odor. If you have chronic mouth odor, then you should consider going through the process of teeth remineralization. Mouth odor is usually a result of bacteria activities in the mouth. However, you can significantly reduce the mouth odor by remineralizing your teeth. Remineralization introduces bacteria-fighting minerals into the teeth to help curb mouth odor, improving your smile and self-confidence.
Can Cavities Heal After Remineralizing Them?
It’s possible for remineralization to heal your cavities. As we mentioned earlier, replenishing lost minerals in the teeth gives the cavities a chance to heal, saving you a journey to the dental implant process. Once the tooth is decayed, you may need to replace the tooth or fill the cavity.
How to Remineralize Your Teeth Naturally
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to remineralize your teeth. There are several ways to fix a cracked tooth naturally and replenish lost minerals without adverse side effects.
Oral Health Practices
One of the easiest ways to remineralize your teeth is by adopting good oral hygiene practices. These routine practices that are usually taken for granted can help remineralize your teeth. Here are some oral health practices that you can adopt:
1. Teeth Brushing
One way to remineralize your teeth is to brush them regularly. Contrary to popular belief, brushing your teeth regularly does not remove valuable minerals from the teeth; instead, it removes harmful microorganisms that end up using available minerals. When you brush regularly, you can reduce the rate of minerals loss and prevent common teeth problems.
2. Use Of Remineralizing Toothpaste
Another step you can take is to use targeted toothpaste rich in fluoride when brushing your teeth. You get several advantages from using remineralizing toothpaste; these include stronger teeth, removal of harmful bacteria, stain removal, and tooth decay prevention.
So, when next you want to get toothpaste, don’t just get any toothpaste. Instead, go for fluoride-based toothpaste.
Adopting Healthy Diet Practices
Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and teeth remineralization. Besides, what you eat can either replenish the much-needed minerals or reduce the ones present. Here is how to remineralize your teeth with your diet.
1. Eat Food Rich In Vitamins And Calcium
Calcium strengthens the teeth, and it is one of the minerals you need to remineralize your teeth. You need to eat foods rich in calcium to replenish lost minerals in your teeth. You can also go for food rich in vitamins to promote healthy teeth and prevent cavities from forming.
2. Cut Your Sugar Intake
Another thing you have to watch out for is your sugar intake. You need to deliberately cut down your sugar intake and generally avoid starchy foods. This advice is also particularly good for you if you just have your wisdom tooth removed or in the process of wisdom tooth recovery.
This is because food rich in sugar and starch is a primary food source for harmful bacteria that causes cavities. Therefore, cutting down the sugar and starch can reduce bacteria activity and ensure you get healthier foods that are great for the teeth.
3. Chew Gums That Are Sugar
Free Like Sorbitol And Xylitol
Chewing gums that are sugar-free can be beneficial to your oral health and can help you retain minerals in the long run. Gums like Sorbitol and Xylitol act as a barrier against mineral loss. They do this by removing plaques and microorganisms in your teeth.
4. Increase Water Intake and Tackle Dry Mouth
Another way to replenish lost minerals in teeth naturally is by increasing water intake. Water is sugar-free and also helps remove toxins from the body. Asides from drinking water frequently, you can also rinse your mouth with water to reduce the rate of demineralization, especially after taking sugary drinks and acidic foods.
Demineralization happens when the teeth lose vital minerals as a result of plaques forming on the teeth and eating away at the enamel of the teeth. The teeth’s enamel gains most of its strength from minerals like calcium and phosphate. When a tooth begins to decay, it loses these essential minerals, leading to demineralization, cavities, and other dental problems.
Dry mouth, a condition when there isn’t enough saliva production, can also increase demineralization. This is why you need to address this problem if you have one. Saliva can help with the remineralization process and prevent cavities. Research says saliva contains calcium and phosphate, two essential minerals necessary for the remineralization process.
There you have it- the most effective way to remineralize your teeth naturally. Most of these methods won’t cost you a thing. By adopting some lifestyle changes, you can replenish lost minerals and keep your teeth healthy and strong as you grow older. Considering all the benefits you have to gain from remineralization, it’s safe to conclude that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
