Strengthen Your Teeth with These Supplements
Teeth can lose some of the minerals in them that make them hard and strong. Demineralization causes them to weaken, lose some of the enamel protecting them, and may even result in pitting on the surfaces of your teeth. You can help to remineralize your teeth by adding certain top supplements to your diet, which can reverse some of the damage.
The Cause of Demineralization
The minerals in your teeth can be demineralized by two things: a lack of good care of your teeth, and by the foods you eat. Both of these problems lead to demineralization because it creates an imbalance of the bacteria in your mouth. There are more than 500 different types of bacteria in your mouth – some are good and some are bad.
Every day, the bad bacteria leave a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. Regular brushing and flossing of your teeth reduce the bacteria on your teeth that can cause harm to them. Both processes are necessary to keep them at bay, along with a good amount of saliva, which also helps keep them under control. Without regular brushing and flossing, the bacteria will produce acid that will damage your teeth.
Eating and drinking a lot of sugary foods feeds the bad bacteria and enables them to multiply rapidly. The sugar in sodas, fruit juices, candy, and sweet foods, helps them multiply fast and produce even more acid. Sticky foods will stick to your teeth, and in the spaces between your teeth, letting them produce acid longer if you do not floss.
Acidic Foods
In addition to the harmful acid produced by the bacteria – which is the same bacteria that cause gum disease, drinking sodas, and fruit juices makes it even worse. Soda is very acidic, and it provides a different kind of acid – phosphoric acid. Diet sodas use a different acid, and so do fruit juices. When combined with the natural acid produced by the bacteria, it will demineralize your teeth fast.
Remineralize Tooth Enamel
Just like any other part of your body, your teeth need a constant supply of vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. Remineralization can take place if your body gets enough of the right supplements.
Remineralization is not the same thing as growing new tooth enamel. The truth is that you cannot regrow tooth enamel, but you can replace the minerals that have been taken out of your teeth. This changes it from a weak state to a stronger one, making them more resistant to the corrosive acids produced by the bad bacteria.
The Minerals Needed for Remineralization
There are primarily four minerals that your teeth need to be strong. These minerals are removed by the acid and need to be replaced in order for you to keep healthy teeth. You can remineralize teeth naturally with the following vitamins and minerals.
- Calcium – Your teeth contain a lot of calcium in them and need a constant supply of it to keep strong. Your jawbone needs it too.
- Phosphorus – Your teeth need phosphorus to be able to absorb the calcium.
- Magnesium – This mineral helps keep calcium in balance.
- Fluoride – This mineral occurs in the environment naturally. It helps to remineralize teeth, making them more resistant to decay. Not much fluoride is needed, especially if it is in your water supply. If not, fluoride can be applied directly to your teeth by using such products as toothpaste with fluoride. A dentist can also add a dental gel for the purpose or remineralization.
According to the CDC, using toothpaste with fluoride in it will help to reduce cavities in children. Mouth rinses with fluoride in it should not be given to children younger than six because there is a danger in swallowing it repeatedly.
Three vitamins are also needed:
- Vitamin K2 and Vitamin A – Both of these vitamins are necessary for vitamin D to work efficiently.
- Vitamin D – This sunshine vitamin is essential to help your body absorb the right minerals. Without vitamin D, little or no remineralization will take place.
Substances to Avoid
Foods with a lot of sugar in them aid in the demineralization process. They promote the growth of the bacteria that produce the acid. This means that if you want to provide your teeth with the best protection, you need to avoid sugary and acidic foods.
Products that whiten your teeth will also help to demineralize your teeth. They typically work by removing some of the surface material from your teeth, which has been stained or discolored.
While the top supplements can help remineralize teeth, you may still need teeth repair or cosmetic dental services. If you live in the Carrollton, Dallas, Cedar hill or Grapevine, TX areas, you can get regular dental care at the offices of Dr. Kumar T. Vadivel, DDS, FDS RCS, MS, a Board-certified Periodontist, ToothHQ. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call his office today at (214) 731-0123.
