• Remineralization is the process of replacing minerals and ions in the hydroxyapatite crystal lattice of tooth enamel.
  • To help your teeth remineralize, reduce sugar intake, use xylitol as a substitute, minimize lactose-containing products, and make other dietary changes.
  • You should also address oral diseases such as dry mouth and periodontitis, and practice good oral hygiene.

  • Seek emergency dental care if you feel your mouth is too dry or if your gums are inflamed.

Is it possible to remineralize your teeth? Here's everything you need to know.

Why is remineralizing teeth needed?

Periodic dental exam

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

Remineralizing teeth is the opposite of demineralization. The latter refers to the loss of minerals from the surface of dental hard tissues. Bacteria consume food remnants left behind in your mouth after you eat. A by-product of this process is strong, stable acids. If this continues, cavities may form.

Remineralization can counteract this and takes place at or near the normal pH. Recent advances show that during this process, minerals and ions are replaced in the hydroxyapatite crystal lattice of the enamel (the outer layer of teeth). Calcium hydroxide and phosphorus provided by saliva are redeposited into the decalcified enamel.

One of the earliest signs that remineralization is needed is the appearance of white spots on the teeth. They suggest that the enamel in that region has been under bacterial acid attack for months. During caries development, the balance between demineralization and remineralization is skewed toward demineralization. If you notice chalky, white areas on your dentition, act quickly.

Best methods to remineralize teeth

There are many different ways to remineralize our teeth. Focusing on one general fix is not ideal. A more multifactorial understanding and approach is needed to allow remineralization to occur more readily than demineralization.

Cut down on sugar

It has been found that modern diets are incredibly sugar-filled. The average person consumes at least 20 teaspoons of sugar a day. This means we are routinely fueling bacteria to cause demineralization.

Consider some sugar substitute ingredients. Xylitol is preferred, as oral bacteria will metabolize this like sugar but cannot produce acids that hurt your teeth. Products containing xylitol can help neutralize acid-producing bacteria between meals.

Minimize lactose products

Snack on cheese and yogurts in moderation. While dairy products are a great source of calcium, they also contain lactose. That is a type of sugar that may increase the acidity in your mouth. This could lead to demineralization quickly.

Peter March

Peter March, DDS

Cheese is known to prevent cavities by increasing the pH. It contains casein, which is a protein that can help recruit calcium to the teeth.

Try to go for lactose-free dairy products and include some plant alternatives, such as unsweetened soy or almond milk, in coffee and desserts.

Pick and choose the right fruits and vegetables

Some fruits and vegetables, especially acidic ones like lemon, oranges, and tomatoes, will lower the pH in your mouth. Of course, it would be unwise to cut them out completely, as they contain many vitamins that your body needs. Research shows that not consuming enough may lead to tooth loss.

Try to stick to whole fruits and veggies when possible. Dried fruits can stick in the teeth, and many contain added sugar. Drink plenty of water as well.

Incorporate the right minerals into your diet

With a proper diet, we can provide saliva with the necessary minerals to promote remineralization. This also gives the living structures inside our teeth the ability to help repair themselves. Tooth remineralization requires high amounts of:

  • Vitamin D,

  • Calcium,

  • Vitamin K, and

  • hygienic fluoride.

One of the significant roles Vitamin D plays is to help supply teeth with Calcium. Vitamin K is an important nutrient needed to help transport Calcium in the body, including to the teeth.

Don’t snack too often

Consider how frequently you eat and snack. The pH in the mouth drops after meals and can remain in an acidic state for 20-30 minutes. Frequent consumption throughout the day leads to a more acidic mouth and, therefore, a more favorable environment for demineralization.

Eating constantly throughout the day does not allow adequate time for remineralization. Less snacking means more remineralization.

Use fluoride products

When it comes to tooth protection, nothing helps more than fluoride. It is not only an antimicrobial agent but can also help replenish minerals in decalcified enamel lesions. This happens in our saliva in combination with calcium and phosphate. Fluoride also helps make teeth more resistant to future bacterial acid attacks.

This mineral is most readily accessible from tap water. It may also be found in most toothpastes. In some cases, health providers recommend switching to a prescription toothpaste or mouthwash. Such dental products have a higher fluoride concentration and work faster.

Address oral conditions

Diseases such as dry mouth and periodontitis may reduce saliva production. This makes it difficult for even high amounts of minerals to reach your teeth. Spit also does a great job of diluting acids from your diet and from bacterial digestion.

Sometimes simple changes, such as an altered diet, a different toothpaste, drinking more fluoridated water, or a quick procedure, can solve the problem.

Conduct proper oral hygiene

Remove plaque twice daily with a toothbrush and floss.

If you are using a mouthwash product that does not contain fluoride, make sure to use it before brushing your teeth. Using it after brushing can wash away most of the fluoride from the toothpaste you applied. It is much more effective if the mineral can rest on your teeth longer.

What is more, if you eat anything acidic, such as citrus fruits, it is better to wait about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. The same goes for foods and drinks that easily stain your teeth, such as wine and coffee.

FAQ

What are the signs of tooth remineralization?

Most of the time, we are unable to detect whether our teeth are being remineralized. In some cases, spots on the teeth that are permanently lighter in color are areas where remineralization and recalcification occurred. This is because fluoride helps to create a more opaque appearance.

In general, though, remineralization takes place without you even knowing it.

How long does it take to remineralize teeth?

Remineralization takes place over time. It requires constant maintenance. Once a tooth has become demineralized and formed a lesion, protecting it through remineralization can take many months or even years.

What ingredients remineralize teeth?

In general, the specific ingredients required to remineralize teeth are calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. Calcium and phosphate are the mineral ions shed during an acid attack by cariogenic bacteria. They can naturally rebond to enamel. The addition of fluoride creates fluorapatite crystals, a stronger, more resilient tooth structure.

Can teeth remineralize with fillings?

Bioactive glass ionomer fillings have been shown to promote additional remineralization, especially in dentin (the inner layer beyond the enamel), once the restoration is placed.

Otherwise, after a filling is performed, maintaining proper oral hygiene will continue to promote remineralization on the remaining tooth structure.

Can the remineralization process fix your teeth?

True enamel decay cannot be reversed. Once a lesion penetrates the enamel and reaches the dentin, it becomes a cavity. If this happens, only restorative dentistry can fix the decay. The decayed area of the tooth must be removed and protected.

If a demineralization lesion is solely confined within the enamel, this is known as an incipient lesion and can be remineralized.