Does Tooth Enamel Toothpaste Really Work?
Though we don’t have much of it, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. With a score of 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, enamel is as hard as steel!
Despite how tough it is, enamel can still wear down over time, which you may know if you’ve started experiencing sensitivity or discoloration.
That’s where tooth enamel toothpaste comes in. Oral health brands love to promise that these products will help restore your smile, but it’s hard to tell if you should take them at their word. Do these toothpastes work?
Let’s clear things up right off the bat: the answer is yes! There are a few caveats, but certain toothpaste can help restore your enamel. Here’s what to know before you buy.
How Does Enamel Get Damaged?
Enamel is made of calcium and phosphorus, which enhance the strength of your teeth. Together, these minerals combine in a crystalline structure called hydroxyapatite.
Hydroxyapatite is incredibly strong and resistant to wear and tear. However, it isn’t invincible, and our habits over time can cause deterioration.
This creates weak spots where the tooth enamel is “demineralized.” Demineralization opens us up to further tooth decay from acids, bacteria, and sugar. Here are a few causes of demineralization and damage:
Acid Erosion
Acids in common foods and drinks can damage our enamel. You’ll find these acids in things like sodas, wine, and certain fruits.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can contribute as well. When we fail to brush and floss, we let bacteria build up in our mouths. This bacteria can attack and weaken our tooth enamel.
Wear and Tear
Certain ways of using our teeth can wear them down. Chewing hard substances like ice, hard candy, or fingernails can damage the enamel. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is another common culprit.
Dry Mouth
Our saliva helps wash away lingering food particles after we eat. It also neutralizes acids. Without enough saliva, our enamel has a harder time protecting itself.
How Does Remineralizing Help?
You might not realize your enamel is always losing and gaining minerals! This happens because your mouth has a natural remineralization process of its own.
As your body absorbs nutrients from the foods you eat, it sends crucial vitamins and minerals to your teeth. Substances rich in calcium, phosphate, and fluoride are helpful for this. Consuming foods and drinks with these minerals can remineralize your teeth.
With the right diet, oral care habits to maintain your teeth and gum health, and regular dental visits, some people experience little to no thinning enamel.
How Does Tooth Enamel Toothpaste Help?
Sometimes, we need a bit of extra help maintaining our tooth enamel, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Enter remineralizing toothpaste, which helps supplement your body’s natural remineralization process. Toothpastes that support enamel health have extra minerals:
Fluoride
Fluoride is the most common mineral added to these toothpastes. There’s a reason why many cities add fluoride to the water supply: this mineral is great at strengthening the enamel and reducing sensitivity. In some cases, fluoride can even help repair the early stages of tooth decay.
Note that while many traditional toothpastes contain fluoride, remineralizing toothpastes often contain a higher amount.
You may see terms like “stannous fluoride” or “sodium fluoride” in the list of ingredients. Both of these can help enhance your enamel, but stannous fluoride is an anti-bacterial agent that can also help with plaque and gingivitis. This makes it a great addition to your toothpaste!
Calcium and Phosphate
As we’ve mentioned, these are the most important minerals in your tooth enamel. By providing them to your teeth, you give them the building materials they need to repair weakened enamel.
Hydroxyapatite
This crystalline substance is great for your smile because it helps promote remineralization. By bonding with demineralized areas of your teeth, it helps create a harder, more durable enamel surface and restores the mineral balance.
What Are the Benefits of These Kinds of Toothpaste?
We’ve already touched on some of the benefits, but it’s safe to say these toothpaste can help in more ways than one. You might want to pick up some remineralizing toothpaste for a few reasons:
- Repair weakened tooth enamel
- Strengthen existing tooth enamel
- Protect teeth from acid erosion
- Shield teeth from bacteria
- Reduce tooth sensitivity
- Prevent and repair white spot lesions in the enamel
- Prevent cavities
Because of their effectiveness at enamel restoration, these kinds of toothpaste can even help keep teeth strong and white. If you’re looking for a bit of extra help whitening your teeth at home without abrasive materials, try a remineralizing toothpaste!
What Are the Limitations?
These toothpastes are great for strengthening tooth enamel, but they aren’t a wonder product. These products won’t regrow lost tooth enamel. They can only help remineralize tooth enamel that has weakened.
Once your tooth enamel is gone, it’s gone. If you have severe enamel loss, talk to your dentist about alternative ways of protecting your teeth.
In addition, these products won’t get rid of any current cavities in your mouth. While remineralizing toothpaste can help prevent cavities and even strengthen areas of your teeth with minor surface decay, it won’t help if you’ve developed a cavity.
This is because cavities are holes in your teeth that happen after significant tooth decay. Cavities cause permanent damage that enamel repair can’t reverse. The only way to fill in a cavity is to see a dentist.
Protect Your Smile
If you’re looking for a way to reduce sensitivity, strengthen your enamel, and protect your teeth, you can’t go wrong with tooth enamel toothpaste. These products aren’t just gimmicks; they really work! To brighten your smile, consider choosing a remineralizing toothpaste the next time you’re at the store.
Need help cutting through the noise to find oral care products you can trust? Talk to a specialist!
Here at Justice Dental, we’re happy to help patients get the smile of their dreams through transformative dental services. Whether you need preventative dentistry, a cosmetic procedure, or an expert to help you find better ways to maintain your oral health at home, reach out to our team about your dental goals. Schedule an appointment today for your custom dental treatment plan!
