Keep your teeth strong and healthy by replenishing lost minerals.
The outermost layer of your teeth is known as enamel. This substance, which is made up of minerals like calcium and phosphate, plays an important role in protecting your teeth from damage. In fact, enamel is the hardest substance in the body and helps to prevent issues like tooth decay. Unfortunately, certain factors, including diet and ageing, can cause mineral loss — this process is known as demineralisation and is responsible for dental erosion over time. The good news, however, is that there are ways to restore minerals to the teeth in a process known as remineralisation. Read on to find out how to replace lost minerals in your teeth and what you can do to stop the demineralisation process…
1. Brush your teeth every day
One of the best ways to remove bacteria from your teeth is to brush your teeth regularly. Tooth decay is most often caused by the build-up of harmful bacteria in the mouth. These harmful bacteria digest the sugars in the foods and drinks that you consume, converting them into harmful acids that contribute to mineral loss. When you brush your teeth, it is advisable that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush as this won’t cause damage to your enamel. It’s also best to choose fluoride toothpaste — these products are formulated to strengthen the teeth, making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks and mineral loss.
2. Limit your sugar intake
It’s no secret that consuming too much sugar can wreak havoc on your overall health. When it comes to your oral health specifically, sugar can do considerable harm in the long term. Sugar is very acidic and, together with bacteria, it can wear away at the enamel. It is especially harmful to eat sugary snacks frequently throughout the day as this gives harmful bacteria plenty of opportunities to attack the teeth. If you do enjoy the occasional sweet treat, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards as this will help to get rid of leftover food particles that may have got stuck in your teeth.
3. Chew sugar-free gum
Some research suggests that chewing on sugar-free gum may help the remineralisation process. When you chew on gum, the salivary glands produce more saliva, which helps to keep the mouth clean and moist. Saliva also naturally contains minerals that play a role in protecting the teeth. To enjoy the dental health benefits of sugar-free gum, chew on it after you have finished eating a meal or snack.
4. Get your fix of calcium
Calcium is a very important mineral that is naturally produced within the teeth. When the enamel is frequently exposed to acids and bacteria, calcium is stripped away from the teeth, weakening them over time. Fortunately, calcium can be replaced by eating certain foods — some good sources of the mineral include dairy products like yoghurt, cheese, and milk; sardines; beans and lentils; almonds; and leafy greens like kale and spinach. Interestingly, vitamin D is essential when it comes to increasing the body’s ability to absorb protein. Vitamin D can be found in eggs yolks; oily fish; mushrooms and foods that have been specially fortified with the vitamin, such as certain breakfast cereals.
How can we help?
At My Dental Care @ West End, we are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Our team is available to address any questions you have and provide you with any information that you might need to keep your smile in good condition.
We encourage our patients to come in and see us for regular check-ups so that we can keep their oral health on track and resolve any potential issues as early as possible.
To see the full list of treatments that we provide at our practice in Brisbane, please have a look here. To book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call at (07) 3846 2548.
