Remineralization is a natural repair process where minerals are redeposited into tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth. This process works to strengthen the enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. Understanding and supporting remineralization helps maintain oral health.
How Teeth Naturally Repair Themselves
Teeth are constantly undergoing a dynamic process of losing and regaining minerals. Remineralization occurs within the mouth. Saliva plays a significant role in this process, acting as a reservoir for essential minerals such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions.
When conditions in the mouth are favorable, these minerals are absorbed back into the enamel structure. They rebuild and strengthen the tooth by forming new surfaces on existing crystal remnants, specifically hydroxyapatite. The newly remineralized crystals are more resistant to acid attacks than the original enamel. This continuous cycle helps repair microscopic damage to the tooth surface.
What Causes Enamel Weakness
The opposing process to remineralization is demineralization, which leads to enamel weakening. Oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, feed on sugars and starches from food and drinks, producing acids as byproducts. These acids directly attack and dissolve the mineral content of tooth enamel.
The oral environment becomes acidic when the pH drops below 5.5, where enamel begins to lose minerals. Acidic foods and beverages like citrus fruits, soft drinks, and wine also contribute to this acidic environment, directly eroding enamel. Conditions such as acid reflux or dry mouth can further exacerbate demineralization.
Boosting Your Teeth’s Natural Repair
Actively promoting remineralization can significantly strengthen teeth. Dietary choices play a role, as foods rich in calcium, such as dairy products, leafy greens like spinach and kale, and nuts like almonds, provide building blocks for enamel. Phosphorus, found in foods like meat, fish, and dairy, also works with calcium to form hydroxyapatite. Vitamin D is also beneficial, as it helps the body absorb calcium effectively, with fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods being good sources. Limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks is also important to reduce acid attacks that cause demineralization.
Fluoride is a well-established agent that aids remineralization. Fluoridated toothpaste, when used twice daily, helps redeposit minerals into weakened enamel and can reverse early signs of tooth decay. Fluoride mouthrinses also provide a higher concentration of fluoride, increasing oral fluoride retention and aiding remineralization. Community water fluoridation, where fluoride is added to public drinking water, provides a consistent, low level of fluoride in saliva and dental plaque, further strengthening enamel and inhibiting bacterial activity. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol, also supports remineralization by increasing saliva production and raising the pH of saliva, which discourages the growth of acid-producing bacteria.
When to Seek Dental Support
While natural remineralization and personal efforts are beneficial, there are situations where professional dental support becomes necessary. Signs indicating significant demineralization or early tooth decay include small, white, chalky spots on the tooth surface, increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, or visible cavities. Persistent bad breath or a constant unpleasant taste can also be indicators of decay.
Dentists can provide interventions to aid remineralization or prevent further damage. In-office fluoride treatments, which use highly concentrated fluoride, are absorbed into the enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. Dental sealants, typically applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, create a barrier that prevents food particles and bacteria from getting trapped in pits and grooves, thus protecting against decay. If demineralization has progressed too far and a hole has formed, restorative procedures like fillings become necessary to repair the damaged tooth structure.