How You Can Fortify Your Tooth Enamel

While it may not be regularly known by most dental patients, the enamel in teeth, which dentists warn their patients about when it comes erosion within the mouth, is actually the hardest substance you can find within a human body. Despite this being the case, enamel can erode due to the accumulation of tiny albeit harmful bacteria living within the mouth.

Fortunately, maintaining sound oral hygiene can keep these harmful bacteria from gathering and causing cavities to develop. Beyond the standard routine of brushing twice per day and flossing once daily, developing some if not all of the following habits could help to strengthen the teeth and fortify the enamel in time, thereby preventing the erosion of a substance that is very difficult to replace.

Drinking Fluoridated Water

As many have heard, fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, is always in water to a slight degree, but many companies and cities have started adding fluoride to water supplies. Research has shown that consuming fluoridated water has the potential to reduce one’s cavity risk between 20 and 40 percent.

As to how fluoride helps to fortify enamel, some of the fluoride within water that makes contact with teeth is incorporated into the teeth’s surface, making it less susceptible to decay. Also, after people ingest fluoride, it’s present in the saliva, which continually makes contact with teeth enamel, thereby providing fluoride another chance to fuse into the enamel and make it more resistant to decay.

Chewing Sugarless Gum

The act of chewing a stick of gum stimulates saliva production, which is always very good for teeth. The saliva not only washes away debris from the teeth and neutralizes the acids known for causing cavities, but also the saliva’s mineral content can remineralize the teeth’s enamel and strengthen it. There are chewing gum manufacturers out there who are adding compounds called Recaldents into their gum products. Recaldent, which is also less commonly known as casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, can stop demineralization while also helping to remineralize the teeth’s enamel.

Brushing with Enamel-Hardening Toothpastes

When walking down the grocery aisle for dental care products and looking for the right toothpaste for you, choose fluoride toothpastes that will ensure you’re both protecting and hardening your teeth’s enamel while brushing your teeth. Most toothpastes are formulated specifically to strengthen the teeth’s enamel. Choosing an enamel-friendly toothpaste and brushing your teeth twice per day, as well as flossing once per day and using mouthwash, can help keep enamel strong and the teeth cavity-free.

If you are concerned about the health of your teeth and need to see a dentist, sign up for our New Hampshire family discount dental plan and you can save as much as 20 percent off your bill. We also offer plans for business owners and individuals. If you would like to learn more about these plans, click here.

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