Enamel Remineralization

Enamel protects the inner layers of your teeth from dietary acids, helping to keep them healthy and white. If you’ve had issues with your teeth that include weakening, white spots, or numerous cavities, one of the key causes could be demineralized enamel. Nevertheless, it is possible not only to restore and strengthen vulnerable enamel but also to protect your teeth from future erosion with the method known as remineralization.

What is tooth remineralization?

At first sight, tooth remineralization sounds like some sort of constructive oral surgery but that is not as scary as it sounds. It’s just another term to describe strengthening your teeth against corruption and cavities by increasing the minerals rate in your teeth. Enamel is a hard and protective substance for your teeth literally because of its high mineral content, and generally speaking, the lack of minerals in your mouth can cause demineralization. Demineralization may happen before cavities, and other problems occur visibly. Tooth remineralization is helpful right away here. It is a normal process that happens each day within our mouths. Remineralization automatically repairs the outer layer of our tooth, the enamel, which is known to be the hardest substance in our body, if we keep a healthy routine with our teeth. In case, for example, you have acids in your diet, it will slowly destroy the minerals that protect the enamel. It may even lead to difficulties in oral hygiene; thus, it is recommended to visit a clinic like dentistry in Albuquerque to check the mineral level with a specialist.

Why is it important to check for demineralization?

Demineralization is the earliest stage of tooth decay that can actually be reversed before more permanent damage occurs. There are 5 stages of tooth decay:

1. Demineralization.

As a tooth is opened to acids produced by bacteria, the enamel begins to lose the minerals, which are protectors in fact. When this happens, you may see white spots appear on your teeth. This is an area of mineral loss that is an initial sign of tooth decay. Commonly, the excessive snacking on candy or consumption of sodas can increase the chance of demineralization.

2. Enamel decay

If the process of tooth decay is allowed to continue, the enamel will break down further. You may notice that a white spot on a tooth darkens. As the enamel is minimized, small holes in your teeth called cavities, or dental caries, can be formed. Cavities will need to be filled by a dental specialist like a cosmetic dentist in Albuquerque. 

3. Dentin decay

Dentin is the tissue that lies under the enamel. It’s softer than enamel, which makes it more sensitive to damage from acid. Therefore, when dentin is affected by tooth decay, you may begin experiencing sensitivity. 

4. Pulp damage

The pulp is the deepest layer of your tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels that help to keep the tooth healthy. When the pulp is damaged, it may become irritated and start to swell. This can lead to pain that can not be treated with painkillers only.

5. Abscess

As tooth decay advances into the pulp, bacteria can cause an infection. Increased swelling in the tooth can lead to a pocket of pus-forming at the bottom of your tooth, called an abscess. It can cause severe pain that may radiate into the jaw, and the treatment may involve removing the affected tooth.

Thus, only by discovering demineralization, you may skip the pain and save your tooth from surgery. If tooth decay is in its early stages, you may not experience any symptoms. This is why, regular visits to your westside family dentistry Albuquerque are important.

Can enamel regrow naturally? 

Demineralization and remineralization are the naturally occurring processes. However, once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. Though weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpaste and mouthwashes can never rebuild teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process. Products with high concentrations of calcium phosphate or with fluoride, a common additive, are best at helping teeth to remineralize naturally before the damage exceeds the point of no return. These minerals cover the surface of teeth and strengthen the enamel. By the way, it is a common thought that whitening your teeth can harm your enamel by causing slight demineralization, which makes your teeth more porous. To prevent those damages, please, check the toothpaste formula and choose the one that improves the damaged enamel. Nowadays, you can easily choose the best toothpaste that is recommended by dentists directly.

Tooth demineralization symptoms and how to prevent them

Demineralization affects the tooth’s appearance and wears away the tooth’s smooth surface. The teeth become rougher, plaque, tartar, and often stained, which may make brushing your teeth painful and less effective. So once you feel your teeth becoming craggy and sensitive – you know that demineralization may be the reason. The best way to stop the process of demineralization is the use of fluoride. However, there are also other ways to prevent demineralization:

• Brushing teeth twice daily and flossing can decrease bacterial growth and therefore reduce the presence of damaging acids;
• Avoid high consumption of sugars, sugary foods, and drinks;
• Foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as green leafy vegetables, cheese, fish, and eggs promote remineralization;
• A regular dental check-up helps to identify and treat demineralization in time. Early detection of demoralization is often found during the hygienist visits procedure like teeth cleaning in Albuquerque;
• Drinking more water after eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks helps to reduce the effects of acids on your teeth.

If you have concerns about remineralization, consult your dentist or dental hygienist regarding the best plan, whether that’s using a particular toothpaste, adjusting your diet, or looking into medications.

Summary

Remineralization is a natural process that can be managed on your own. Your health, diet, and lifestyle contribute to the state of your enamel, and with the right care, you can continuously remineralize it before it goes away. However, if you are still afraid of the damage that can be caused to your teeth, for example, because of the whitening, just contact the specialist from teeth whitening in Albuquerque and make sure that your enamel will not be harmed. Also, visit your dentist regularly, and you’ll have a major head start against the progress of any demineralization.