Unlike a fractured bone that the body can repair, once a tooth is chipped or broken, the damage is done forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair broken or cracked enamel. Enamel is the thin outer layer of material that covers the part of the teeth outside the gums. Poor eating habits, an unhealthy oral care routine, and other factors can weaken and damage enamel.
Once damaged, tooth enamel cannot be repaired. However, weakened enamel can be repaired. Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be recovered. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some extent by improving its mineral content.
One of the most important parts of a tooth is enamel, the clear covering that protects it from daily use such as chewing and biting. It also insulates teeth from painful temperatures and chemicals.
Enamel is made of crystalline calcium phosphate, called hydroxyapatite, and is the hardest substance in the human body. However, it can be damaged by certain foods and beverages or years of wear and tear.
1. Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. It's available in water (most municipal water is fluoridated), toothpaste and mouth rinses.
Dental professionals can apply professional fluoride treatments in the office to improve oral health and protect teeth from decay. They can do this in a variety of ways, including putting a gel or foam into a tray and holding it in the mouth for one to four minutes.
Professional fluoride treatments work by helping the body use the minerals it already has in its saliva to replenish lost calcium and phosphate. These minerals reabsorb themselves and help rebuild the tooth enamel from within, making it more resistant to acids and bacteria that cause cavities.
2. Diet
Eating a healthy diet can go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A diet that’s high in nutrients and low in sugar is a great place to start.
Adding foods that are high in calcium to your diet, such as milk and cheese, can help strengthen tooth enamel. They also lower acid levels in your saliva, which helps protect against cavities and other oral health problems.
Getting plenty of Vitamin D is important as well, as it aids your body in absorbing and carrying calcium throughout the body. This nutrient is found in certain foods, including salmon, sardines, egg yolks, mushrooms, and tuna.
3. Sealants
Sealants are tooth-colored resin coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars). They quickly bond into the depressions and grooves, providing added protection to these areas.
When bacteria from plaque collects in these nooks and crannies, they attack the teeth’s enamel. Cavities can then develop.
Children and adults can benefit from sealants. The early you get them, the better.
Most dentists recommend applying sealants to the permanent molars and premolars as soon as they come in, so cavities can be prevented from the start. Generally, a child’s first molars break through around age 6, and their second molars at around 12.
4. Bonding
Bonding is a cosmetic dental treatment that can improve the appearance of your smile by covering up chips, cracks or discoloration. It also closes gaps and changes the shape of teeth.
The procedure begins by applying a composite resin material that is tinted to match your teeth. This is then "bonded" to your tooth and trimmed and polished to a smooth, natural-looking shine.
Typically, bonding lasts between three and 10 years before you may need to have it touched up or replaced. However, if you have habits that cause it to chip, such as biting your fingernails, chewing on pens or opening packages with your teeth, you should contact your dentist right away.
5. Veneers
Veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance and shape. They can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common are porcelain veneers and resin-based composite veneers.
Dental professionals often use veneers to repair a range of dental issues, including discoloration, chips or cracks, uneven or gapped teeth, short or unevenly-sized teeth and mild misalignments.
During the placement of veneers, the dentist will need to remove a little bit of enamel. This is necessary to allow the veneers to be bonded securely to the tooth and to make them look more natural.
Enamel is a tough, translucent substance that protects the inside of a tooth from damage. It is the main protective layer that keeps a tooth healthy and strong so it can last a lifetime.
Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process. Reduce the frequency of consumption of carbonated beverages and fruit juices. While tooth enamel cannot be reconstructed, you can prevent enamel loss due to acid erosion with a good oral care routine. Crest Gum and Enamel Repair prevents enamel loss and strengthens enamel It helps neutralize plaque bacteria around the gum line that can weaken enamel.
It also contains active stannous fluorine, which binds to enamel and strengthens it to create a microthin shield against acid attack. This acidity scale shows the acidity level of some everyday foods and beverages that can erode enamel. However, the main part of the tooth, the dentin, is the part responsible for the color of the tooth, whether white, whitish, gray, or yellowish. In contrast, erosion occurs when tooth enamel is overexposed to dietary acids from certain foods and beverages, or to stomach acids that are regurgitated.
Your dentist will focus on rebuilding the structure of your tooth, which should protect you from further damage. A good deep cleaning can be prescribed to help prevent expensive dental implants later in life. Dental Bridges Wrinkle Relaxers & Dermal Fillers Bruxism Children's Dentistry Dental Crowns Dental Packaging Dental Prosthesis Tooth Extractions Oral Protectors Night Protectors Pediatric Dentistry Preventive Dentistry Removable Partial Dental Prosthesis Root Endodontics Radiographs. To prevent enamel loss and keep your teeth healthy, be sure to brush your teeth, floss, and rinse every day with an antiseptic and fluoride mouthwash. Despite their strength, the everyday acids produced from certain foods and beverages, especially those that are sweet or contain starch, can put enamel at risk.
Making sure your tooth enamel stays strong is one of the most important parts of keeping your mouth healthy, as it's the tooth's first and strongest defense layer. Whether your teeth are discolored or you have a prominent space between your teeth, there's no need to keep your smile a secret. Here are some of the most common restorative treatment options for people with damaged enamel or tooth decay. While fluoride is useful for preventing tooth decay, too much fluoride can cause problems such as enamel fluorosis.
Chewing gum is a great tool to help repair weakened tooth enamel because it increases significant saliva production. First of all, it's important to practice good oral hygiene to repair damaged tooth enamel.
