Tooth Remineralization: How to Repair and Strengthen Enamel

Every day your teeth are fighting against biological erosion. Even though tooth enamel is the hardest part of your body, it can lose important minerals due to acidic foods, sugary snacks and bacteria in your mouth. This can cause early tooth decay.

Thankfully your body has natural processes to help remineralise your teeth. It can help your enamel to absorb minerals and repair any micro damage, preventing early cavities. Understanding how Remineralisation works can help you look after your teeth long term to keep your natural smile.

What Is Tooth Remineralisation?

Tooth Remineralisation is a natural process whereby minerals are absorbed back into the enamel of your teeth. The enamel is made up largely of dense mineral crystals known as hydroxyapatite. During eating, bacteria in your mouth consume the carbohydrates you’ve eaten and produce damaging acids. This causes the calcium and phosphate minerals in your enamel to be broken down.

In contrast to demineralisation, Remineralisation works by using your natural saliva, diet and specialized ingredients to return calcium, phosphate and fluoride back into your enamel. As long as Remineralisation happens quicker than demineralisation your teeth will stay strong, smooth and cavity free.

How Does Demineralisation Affect Your Enamel?

Understanding how Remineralisation can help repair your teeth, requires understanding how the process of demineralisation can weaken your enamel. Eating food/sugary drinks can cause bacteria in your mouth to form damaging acids.

These acids lower the pH level in your mouth:

• Below 5.5 pH levels will begin to dissolve the calcium and phosphate bonds in your enamel.

• Small holes will start to appear in your enamel.

• White spots will start to develop on your teeth.

• Cavities will occur.

How Does the Natural Remineralisation Process Work?

The Remineralisation process works through a natural cycle.

• Your saliva glands produce fresh saliva with natural bicarbonate. This helps to neutralize the damaging acids in your mouth and raise your mouth pH level above 5.5.

• Healthy saliva contains high levels of calcium and phosphate ions.

• As the pH level in your mouth becomes neutral, your enamel will begin to absorb the calcium and phosphate.

• Fluoride will combine with these minerals to create a new mineral layer in your enamel known as fluorapatite. This new layer will resist future acid attacks much better.

Why Is Saliva Important for Tooth Remineralisation?

Saliva is the best natural defense you have against tooth decay. Without healthy saliva, Remineralisation won’t happen.

• Washes away food waste – Saliva will constantly wash away any loose food particles and sugars.

• Provides important minerals – Saliva provides a natural source of calcium and phosphate ions.

• Keeps you hydrated – Having lots of moisture in your mouth will keep you hydrated.

• Contains special enzymes – Saliva contains enzymes and proteins to kill damaging bacteria and slow plaque build up.

What Are the Important Minerals and Ingredients for Remineralisation?

• Calcium – Provides building blocks for strong enamel, bone density and strong bones.

• Phosphate – Helps to repair the dense hydroxyapatite crystal structure of your enamel alongside calcium.

• Fluoride – Speeds up the natural absorption of minerals. It will combine with weak spots to create fluorapatite crystals to resist acids.

• Nano-Hydroxyapatite – Synthetic nano hydroxyapatite particles will bond to your enamel pores to fill any cracks and reduce sensitivity.

What Daily Habits Can Help Remineralise Your Teeth?

You can help give your body the best chance to remineralise your teeth by following some healthy daily habits.

• Brush twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste. This will provide high levels of fluoride and remove plaque.

• Drink plenty of water. Fluoridated tap water will stimulate saliva production.

• Chew sugar free xylitol gum. This will increase your saliva production up to 10 times after eating.

• Don’t snack too often. This will give your mouth time to neutralize acids and remineralise.

• Eat foods that are high in nutrients. Leafy greens, almonds, seeds and lean proteins are high in calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus which helps saliva to become mineral rich.

What Common Foods Prevent Enamel Healing?

Some foods prevent your teeth from absorbing important minerals.

• Soft drinks – Carbonated drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks contain high levels of citric and phosphoric acids.

• Sticky foods – Dried fruit, sticky sweets and gummies will get stuck in deep grooves of your teeth feeding the acid producing bacteria.

• Snacking on citrus fruits – Lemons, limes and grapefruits are high in vitamins but are very acidic so will soften your enamel.

• Drinking too much alcohol/caffeine – This will reduce natural saliva production.

When Should You See a Dentist?

Whilst Remineralisation can help repair early enamel damage and white spots, it won’t help with deep cavities.

• Physical holes – If your teeth have developed a hole due to acid breaking through the enamel you’ll need a filling.

• Sharp pain when eating hot/cold foods – If you’re experiencing sharp pain when eating hot or cold foods this indicates that there is a problem with your dentin or nerve. You’ll need endodontics treatment.

• Dry mouth – If you suffer from chronic illnesses or take medications that reduce saliva production, your dentist can provide you with therapeutic fluoride gels or saliva replacement.

• Regular check ups – Visiting your dentist every 6 months will allow your dentist to take digital x-rays to pick up early signs of mineral loss.

What Are the Top Tips for Tooth Remineralisation?

• Brush your teeth twice daily using a fluoride/nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Chew sugar free xylitol gum after eating.

• Don’t eat too many sugary foods.

• Wait 30 minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in natural calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

• Visit your dentist every 6 months.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Remineralisation?

Can I Remineralise a Cavity?

No. You can only remineralise early enamel decay and white spots. Once a cavity has occurred due to acid attacking your enamel you’ll need to visit your dentist for a filling.

How Long Does It Take to Remineralise Your Enamel?

The Remineralisation process begins as soon as your saliva has neutralized the acids in your mouth. To reverse early white spots and repair weak enamel will take a few weeks to a couple of months. This depends on how well you look after your teeth daily, eat healthily and use fluoride.

Does Drinking Water Help Remineralise Your Teeth?

Yes. Drinking plain water will wash away any loose food and remaining acids. If you drink fluoridated tap water you’ll also be providing your enamel with small amounts of protective minerals.

Will Changing My Diet Repair My Damaged Enamel?

If you’re eating a diet high in calcium you’ll be helping your saliva to become mineral rich. However if you’re eating a lot of acidic foods or aren’t brushing your teeth daily this is unlikely to be enough. Eating a nutrient rich diet alongside brushing daily, using fluoride/nano-hydroxyapatite products and visiting your dentist regularly will give you the best protection.

Tooth Remineralisation is an ongoing process that will help keep your teeth protected from daily damage caused by acids. Providing your mouth with important minerals, keeping your saliva healthy, eating a nutrient rich diet and looking after your oral hygiene will help your body repair your weak enamel. Start looking after your teeth today by making smart daily choices and visiting your dentist regularly for check ups.