How to Make Your Teeth Strong Again: A Guide to Fixing Tooth Enamel
Do you feel pain when you eat ice cream? Are your teeth looking yellow? Your teeth might be losing their hard outer shell. This shell is called enamel. The good news is that you can make your teeth strong again!
What Is Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel is the hard, white part on the outside of your teeth. It is the hardest thing in your body. Enamel is made of 96% minerals. It keeps your teeth safe from:
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Hot and cold foods
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Sweet treats that can cause pain
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Things that can make your teeth yellow
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Germs that make holes in your teeth
Enamel cannot grow back once it's gone. But you can make it stronger by adding minerals back into it.
How Do I Know My Enamel Is Going Away?
Look for these signs that your enamel is wearing down:
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Pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods
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Teeth looking more yellow than before
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Small cracks or chips in your teeth
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Teeth looking see-through at the edges
If you see these signs, don't worry! You can fix this problem.
5 Ways to Fix Your Tooth Enamel
1. Use Special Toothpaste
Some toothpastes have things that help put minerals back in your teeth. Look for these on the label:
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Fluoride - This mineral makes teeth 30-50% harder and stronger
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Nano-hydroxyapatite - This can fix 85% of enamel damage in just 14 days
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CPP-ACP (also called MI Paste) - This can reduce white spots on teeth by 40%
Check out dental tools for home care
2. Change What You Eat and Drink
What goes in your mouth can hurt or help your enamel.
Foods and drinks that hurt enamel:
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Soda pop
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Lemon juice
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Orange juice
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Candy
Foods that help enamel:
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Milk
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Cheese
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Yogurt
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Green leafy veggies
People who eat lots of calcium (at least 1,000 mg each day) have 25% less enamel damage . After eating or drinking something sour, rinse your mouth with water.
3. Make More Spit
Spit (saliva) is your mouth's helper! It washes away bad stuff and puts minerals back in your teeth. Try these tips:
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Chew sugar-free gum with xylitol
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Drink lots of water
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Use products like Biotene if your mouth feels dry
4. Protect Against Acid
Acid is the #1 enemy of tooth enamel. Here's how to fight it:
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Wait 30 minutes to brush after eating sour foods
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Use a straw when drinking juice or soda
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Rinse your mouth with water after meals
5. Fix Damage at the Dentist
For teeth that already have damage, your dentist can help:
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Dental bonding - The dentist puts a special material on your teeth to cover small damage
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Crowns - For teeth with lots of damage
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Veneers - Thin shells that go on the front of your teeth
Things That DON'T Work
Be careful! Some things people say will fix enamel actually make it worse:
Don't Use |
Why It's Bad |
What to Do Instead |
Baking soda scrubs |
Too rough on enamel |
Use fluoride toothpaste |
Oil pulling |
No proof it works |
Rinse with fluoride mouthwash |
Hydrogen peroxide |
Can hurt your mouth |
Ask for dentist-approved products |
How to Keep Your Enamel Safe
Once you've made your enamel stronger, keep it that way:
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Brush gently with a soft toothbrush
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Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
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Get regular dental cleanings
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Ask for a fluoride treatment at the dentist
Explore tools dentists use for treatments
What The Science Says About Fixing Enamel
Let's look at what studies tell us about making enamel strong again:
Treatment |
How Well It Works |
How Long It Takes |
Fluoride |
Makes enamel 30-50% harder |
3-6 months of daily use |
MI Paste (CPP-ACP) |
Fixes 40% of white spots |
6 months |
Nano-hydroxyapatite |
Fixes 85% of enamel surface |
14 days |
Bioactive Glass |
Adds 63% more minerals |
28 days |
Calcium in diet |
25% less enamel damage |
Ongoing daily intake |
When to See a Dentist
Call your dentist if:
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Your teeth hurt all the time
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You see cracks or dents in your teeth
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Your teeth feel rough
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You have a health problem that affects your teeth
Your dentist can make a plan just for you.
Questions People Ask
Can enamel grow back?
No, enamel cannot grow back once it's gone. But you can make it stronger by adding minerals back into it. This is called remineralization.
How long does it take to fix enamel?
It takes about 3-6 months to see better enamel with good care. Using products with fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite can speed this up.
What's the best toothpaste for enamel?
The best toothpastes have fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite. Some good ones are:
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Sensodyne Pronamel
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Boka Ela Mint
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MI Paste Plus
Keep Your Smile Bright!
Taking care of your tooth enamel is one of the best things you can do for your smile. With the right care, your teeth can stay strong for many years.
Remember:
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Use the right toothpaste
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Watch what you eat and drink
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Visit your dentist regularly
Your smile is worth it!
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