13 Feb Natural Ways to Strengthen Tooth Enamel
Like our bones, enamel can’t be replaced by the body once lost. The goal is to strengthen and repair the existing enamel and fortify areas that are just beginning to erode. Of course, the best way to protect your enamel is by preventing erosion in the first place, which we discussed in our most recent blog post. However because some wear and tear is inevitable, there are things you can do to strengthen tooth enamel through a process called remineralization. As the only fully-trained biomimetic dentists in Arizona, our team at Prescott Dentistry prioritizes restoring your teeth to their natural strength and function.
Here are 4 natural ways to strengthen your enamel:
1. Calcium
Calcium is one of the building blocks of enamel so it is of the most important minerals when it comes to strengthening it. Not only does it harden the enamel, but it also increases the production of saliva, which is an important part of enamel health because saliva contains important minerals that can help fortify it.
You probably think of dairy first when you think of sources of calcium, but there are many delicious non-dairy options! Dark leafy greens (spinach, collards and kale), beans and lentils, and almonds are all great sources of this mighty mineral.
2. Vitamin D
This vitamin controls your body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus, so you will need adequate amounts of vitamin D to ensure calcium is working effectively to protect your enamel. Vitamin D has also been shown to be a promising preventative measure against tooth decay. Sensible sun exposure is one way to boost your vitamin D levels, but food sources are also important. It can be found in mushrooms, egg yolks, salmon and sardines among other foods and beverages.
3. Phosphorus
Phosphorus also supports calcium in building strong bones and teeth. The richest sources of this mineral include seafood, such as scallops, sardines, cod, shrimp, tuna and salmon. While these foods have lower levels, you can also find phosphorus in beef, pork and cheese. There are also excellent plant-based sources of phosphorus such as soybeans, lentils and pumpkin seeds.
5. Xylitol gum
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, which is a type of carbohydrate—but don’t worry, it doesn’t actually contain alcohol. Xylitol occurs naturally in small amounts in fibrous fruits and vegetables, trees, corncobs, and even in the human body. It can be processed from trees like birch, and it can also be manufactured industrially from a plant fiber called Xylan. This 2003 study shows that xylitol is effective at remineralizing enamel. To get the maximum remineralization benefits of xylitol gum, be sure to chew it after or between meals.
Holistic Dentistry in Prescott
As we said earlier, some mineral loss is inevitable because your teeth are put through a lot of wear and tear from eating and drinking. But taking these steps to remineralize your enamel, along with regular visits to Prescott Dentistry, can help keep your enamel strong and healthy so it can keep on protecting your teeth from decay. Give us a call to set up an appointment and stay tuned for part 2 of Natural Ways to Strengthen Tooth Enamel.