Teeth are a type of tissue coated with a hard enamel on the outside. This outer layer is composed of minerals, mainly calcium phosphate and small amounts of sodium, chlorine and magnesium. Enamel can be damaged by bacteria through a process called demineralization, which leads to cavities and other dental problems. If you know some preventative methods and follow the simple instructions in this tutorial, you may be able to remineralize them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Adequate Oral Hygiene
Step 1. Brush your teeth
You need to wash them at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Teeth can be damaged by excessive friction or by using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Leave the toothpaste in your mouth without rinsing it. You can spit out the excess foam, but don't use the water afterwards. You need to give your teeth time to absorb the minerals.
Don't forget to clean your tongue too
Step 2. Use dental floss
You need to clean the spaces between your teeth once a day. Use a 45 cm segment of thread and wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, while the rest is wrapped around the same finger of the other hand. Grasp the floss firmly with your thumb and forefinger and gently insert it into the interdental spaces with a careful saw motion. You need to curl the floss so that it "hugs" the sides of the teeth.
When the floss is between the teeth, make a slight vertical motion to rub each side of the teeth. When you're done with an interdental gap, unwind some floss from your finger and move on to the next slit
Step 3. Go to the dentist
Before you practice some remineralization techniques, you need to be sure you need them. Make an appointment with your dentist to assess your dental health. After this first meeting, you will need to go to the doctor periodically to check that the methods are working, as only he can determine this.
You should have regular visits to your dentist to keep your teeth healthy. You should also have a professional cleaning every time your doctor recommends it
Step 4. Ask the dentist to evaluate the teeth
During your visit, your doctor will check your oral health and decide how best to take care of your teeth and gums. It will also establish the degree of risk for caries; for this reason, x-rays may be necessary, as well as a thorough examination. Finally, the dentist may ask you to rinse with a remineralizing solution for a few minutes.
During the checkup, any signs of cancer or jaw problems will also be evaluated
Step 5. Follow the dentist's instructions
It will let you know whether or not you need to remineralize your teeth. If so, explain your plan to the doctor so that he is aware of your intentions. Only the dentist can confirm whether remineralization is necessary.
Part 2 of 3: Toothpastes and Mouthwashes
Step 1. Use fluoride products
This element is added to toothpastes and oral rinses to replenish the calcium component of dental enamel with fluorapatite, a substance that resists the demineralization of acids. Fluoride toothpastes allow you to eliminate the bacteria responsible for plaque and strengthen the enamel. The fluorine ions replace the calcium ones and make the enamel more resistant.
- Furthermore, this substance contributes to the remineralization process also thanks to its antibacterial properties that kill the germs responsible for many dental problems and the loss of enamel.
- If you have sensitive teeth, use a special toothpaste that also reduces gum inflammation.
- There are some toothpastes, liquids and powders that remineralize the teeth. Ask your dentist for some advice, and you should only use toothpaste that bears the stamp of approval of the Association of Dentists.
- Try special toothpastes that are specifically designed to replenish enamel and are enriched with fluoride.
Step 2. Go for a fluoride-free toothpaste
This element is useful, but not necessary for remineralization. In fact, fluoride strengthens teeth, even if they don't actually contain it. For this reason, there are several techniques to restore minerals without using fluoride. Fluoride-free toothpastes reduce the bacterial load in the mouth thanks to xylitol, an alditol that reduces adhesion between teeth and plaque-forming bacteria.
- These toothpastes also replenish calcium and phosphate in the enamel.
- Fluoride-free toothpastes are not easy to find in the supermarket, but you can ask your pharmacist. There are also products with aloe and propolis that do not contain fluoride.
Step 3. Prepare your remineralizing toothpaste
Instead of opting for a commercial product, you can make one yourself at home. You will need 60g of calcium carbonate powder which you can obtain by crushing calcium carbonate tablets or by buying it directly. Add 30 g of baking soda, half or a sachet of stevia, and 5 g of whole sea salt. Mix the various powders and add enough coconut oil to form a paste. If you wish, you can also add a few drops of peppermint oil until the flavor becomes pleasant enough for your taste. Mix thoroughly, dip your toothbrush into the paste and brush your teeth normally.
- You can also prepare it in large quantities, just keep it in a sealed jar and in the refrigerator to prevent it from deteriorating.
- If you want to whiten your teeth or they are stained, also add 10 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide. It will likely foam and tingle, but don't worry, this is normal. Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial liquid and a bleaching agent. Do not use a solution more concentrated than 3%, as it may burn and irritate the mouth and gums.
Part 3 of 3: Diet and Nutrition
Step 1. Avoid all forms of sugar
Dental demineralization is associated with a number of eating habits. If you want to replenish the minerals of your teeth, then avoid sugar. You shouldn't consume processed starches either because they have the same action on your teeth as sugar. Bacteria grow quickly when they have sugar available, so avoid feeding them. Do not eat industrially processed or pre-cooked foods, such as bread, cookies, cakes, chips, and crackers.
- You should also avoid sodas and all sugary drinks as they contain a high amount of sugar. In addition, they are acidic and contribute to damage to the enamel.
- If you are unsure of the ingredients in your food, read the label. If there is a lot of sugar, corn syrup (fructose), brown sugar syrup, or other sweeteners, don't eat it.
- If you love sweets, stick to honey, which is also antibacterial, and stevia, a herb that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has the added benefit of having no calories.
- Artificial sweeteners like aspartame are very different from sugar chemically, but they "trick" the brain into thinking you are eating something sweet.
Step 2. Limit your consumption of certain sweets
When you are looking to remineralize your teeth, you should limit citrus fruits. If you eat one, immediately rinse your mouth with water to reduce the acidity of the mouth.
The sugar contained in fruit is different from the common one and does not trigger bacterial proliferation. For this reason, you can safely eat all non-citrus fruits such as apples, pears or peaches
Step 3. Increase saliva production
This is also a method of remineralizing teeth. When you eat, you should chew each bite thoroughly to trigger saliva production. You can also often chew sugar-free peppermint gum or eat sugar-free hard candies that increase the amount of saliva secreted.
Sour foods also increase saliva production but, unfortunately, they are also acidic, so consume them in moderation
Step 4. Take a mineral supplement
There are several types; for example, you can also rely on a multivitamin product, but make sure it also has minerals like calcium and magnesium. A good supplement meant for dental health should contain at least 1000 mg of calcium and at least 3000-4000 mg of magnesium. Both help to remineralize the enamel in a natural way.
- Men over 71 years of age and women over 51 should take 1200 mg every day.
- Babies have different mineral needs; for this reason consult your pediatrician or rely on a specific product for children, so as not to exceed the doses.
Step 5. Eat foods rich in vitamin D
When you want to restore minerals in your teeth, you need to increase your intake of this vitamin. You can do this thanks to nutrition and opt for dishes based on fish, soy milk, coconut milk, cow's milk, eggs and yogurt.
Step 6. Get Vitamin D through other means
If you want to fill up on this substance in a different way than food, then you can take the sun or a supplement. Children and adults should get 600 IU of vitamin D per day, so get a supplement with this dosage. You can also expose yourself to the sun for 10-15 minutes a day during the afternoon and without sunscreen. If you can, expose your back, arms, and legs.
- Adults over 70 years of age need 800 IU of vitamin D per day.
- For more effective dental remineralization, you should take vitamin D, calcium and magnesium all together.
Step 7. Drink lots of water
You should consume 6-8 8-ounce glasses throughout the day, with or without minerals. This is essential to maintain the correct hydration of the body, because all other drinks are not rehydrating as they contain sugar, caffeine or proteins. Hydration increases saliva production, which helps remineralize your teeth.
- You don't have to drink mineral-enriched water. You can get all the minerals you need through a balanced diet.
- Tap water contains minerals, although the precise composition and quality depend on the region you live in. Ask your municipality.
Step 8. Try oil pulling
This is a method that involves rinsing the mouth with oil once a day. There are few studies to support this theory, but it appears that holding sesame or coconut oil in the mouth reduces bacterial plaque formation and gum inflammation. Every morning, put a spoonful of sesame oil in your mouth before having breakfast or drinking water. With your mouth closed, tilt your head and move the oil around your mouth and between your teeth. Move your mouth as if you are chewing the oil. Keep doing this for 15-20 minutes and finally spit it out.
- After spitting out the oil, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. You should also drink 2-3 glasses of water.
- Don't gargle with oil like you would another mouthwash.
