Can You Restore Tooth Enamel Naturally?

If your enamel undergoes too much damage, or if a tooth is chipped or cracked, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to strengthen enamel back to its natural state. However, in cases where your enamel is slightly weakened or tooth decay is still in its “pre-cavity” stage, you can take certain measures to ensure your enamel rehardens naturally.

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste: When enamel is weak, it requires minerals such as calcium to begin to rebuild itself. Use a remineralizing toothpaste infused with fluoride, the only ingredient known to effectively strengthen teeth. Crest’s Gum & Enamel Repair Advanced Whitening can help repair enamel, neutralize bacteria, and polish off surface stains.
• Sugar-free gum: Chew on gum devoid of any sugars to stimulate saliva production to better wash away harmful plaque bacteria. Sugars promote bacterial growth, so be sure to choose a sugar-free option.
• Try a fluoride mouthwash: Equip your oral care routine with a specialized rinse that fortifies your enamel. Bacteria and sugars are swished away while remineralizing qualities are hard at work.

The remineralization process usually takes about three to four months to take effect. However, once you begin to better fortify your enamel, you may start to see stronger teeth, experience less sensitivity, and even reveal a whiter smile.

If your enamel has been damaged beyond repair, it will never reharden naturally. That’s why following a thorough oral hygiene routine is crucial. Without the protective layer of enamel, your smile becomes vulnerable to staining, sensitivity, and decay. These simple steps can help ensure your enamel remains strong:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste such as Crest Gum & Enamel Repair
• Brush for the dentist-recommended two minutes
• Try brushing in between meals when possible
• Floss at least once a day
• Rinse with a fluoride-infused, remineralizing mouthwash
• Keep up with regular dentist or dental hygienist appointments
• Avoid sugary or starchy foods
• Stay hydrated
• Keep a balanced diet high in proteins and plenty of greens

If you’re worried that your enamel has been stripped away, see your dentist right away. If decay spreads and leads to infection, you may have to extract the tooth entirely if it is beyond repair. Several in-office treatments can help reinforce your smile if damage does occur, before it becomes irreversible.