Tips To Improve Your Enamel Strength Naturally

Dentist Blog

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

• Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Leafy greens, such as kale and collards
• Legumes, such as soybeans, peas, alfalfa
• Seafood, such as salmon and mackerel

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.

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23 September 2015