The enamel, which is the outermost teeth's layer, protects your teeth from decay. Although some level of wear and tear is normal, it's essential to take the necessary steps to strengthen your enamel. Here are five natural ways to strengthen your teeth.
Eat Calcium Rich Foods
Calcium is one of the most important minerals for your teeth since it is one of the major components of the enamel (in the form of calcium phosphate). There are several sources of calcium, such as
Get the Necessary Vitamins
Both vitamin D and vitamin C are necessary for enamel strength. Vitamin D enables your body to absorb and use calcium, which is good for enamel strength as explained above. If you don't have the vitamin, then your body will not absorb calcium even if you are eating calcium-rich foods. Vitamin C, on the other hand, helps teeth repair.
Sources of vitamin D include lean meats, nuts, fatty fish (such as salmon), oranges, and eggs. Vitamin C is abundant in fruits such as papaya, mangoes, and kiwi. It is also found in vegetables (broccoli and spinach are good examples) and fortified foods.
Stimulate Saliva Production
Apart from neutralizing chemicals (such as acids) and bacteria that would destroy your teeth, saliva also helps to strengthen your enamel. Saliva does this by encouraging the flow of minerals, such as calcium and phosphate compounds, which re-mineralize the teeth and strengthen them. Stimulate saliva production by eating sour fruits (such as lemons), drinking water, drinking soup, and munching on spices, such as aniseed and fennel seeds.
Avoid Foods That Demineralize Your Teeth
Strengthening your enamel is not just about doing things, there are also some things that you shouldn't do. For example, you shouldn't engage in practices that demineralize your teeth. Things that damage your teeth include acidic drinks and foods, poor dental hygiene, and improperly-cared-for orthodontics (such as damaged braces).
Some people are of the opinion that once you get your adult teeth, there is nothing you can do to strengthen them. However, the discussions above show that there are several things you can do, as an adult, to strengthen your teeth. Such effort will go a long way in preventing teeth damage in its various forms, such as decay and enamel erosion. For more information, talk to a professional like Howley & Basara Family Dentistry PC.
Share23 September 2015
Do you have a different doctor from your spouse? Does your child see a pediatrician? Most families have different medical health providers for different members of the family. This makes sense in most cases, but did you know that you can find a dentist who will treat every person in the family from a baby to a senior? I'm a manager or a family dentist, and in this blog you will learn why a family dentist is a great idea. I will tell you the many advantages of taking every family member to the same dentist, and I will give you tips of finding the right dental office for your family.