Demineralization occurs when the tooth enamel begins to dissolve, leaving your tooth exposed causing the pain most people refer to as ‘sensitive teeth’. There is nothing worse than having sensitive teeth except for the fact that if you don’t correct it, the sensitivity will only get worse and cause more dental problems. You can protect your family by knowing what the causes are, how to prevent it, and how to remineralize your teeth if the problem already exists.
What Causes Demineralization?
Several things contribute to the demineralization of teeth. While some are common, others are things you might not have thought about. For instance, food is something you probably counted on, but did you know that things like brushing with a medium to hard bristle brush could wear at the enamel too? What about mouthwashes that contain acids? Does your mouth wash contain acid?
Here is a list of other factors that contribute to demineralization:
- age
- a build-up of plaque
- teeth whitening products
- brushing your teeth too hard and too often
- teeth with cracks
- cavities/tooth decay
Correct Teeth with Mineralization
Now the big question – Can you correct all this damage to your teeth enamel with mineralization? Mineralization is when the body uses minerals to build bones back up. One of the most natural ways to mineralize your teeth is to eat foods rich in minerals and chew them slowly to allow the minerals to mix with your saliva.
Some foods high in minerals:
- cheeses
- celery, broccoli, okra, turnips
- meat
- oats
- eggs
- soy beans
Of course, eating foods high in minerals is just the start. You will also need to brush and floss regularly to keep teeth healthy and make sure you don’t have plaque. Plaque is the sticky stuff on the teeth that can also contribute to demineralization and will need to be removed by your dentists. Chewing sugar-free gum will also help keep the food particles out from between your teeth which can cause gum disease. Lastly, keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water.
More Ways to Protect Your Teeth
While many people have not heard of oil pulling, it is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This type of oil pulling is done with extra virgin coconut oil and can be done by adults and kids. When you oil pull for your teeth, you’ll need 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil to swish in your mouth.
You’ll need to swish the oil around in your mouth like mouthwash for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help remove the bacteria and toxins from your mouth and help in the healing process. Once you finish swishing, do not swallow the oil. Spit it out. Keep in mind, if you have never used coconut oil before, the coconut oil comes in a solid, but melts really quickly when put into the mouth.
With regular dental check-ups and brushing and flossing, you will be able to keep most of the common dental problems that children and adults have to a minimum. Of course, eating a healthy diet and limiting sugary foods and drinks won’t hurt either!
Photo Courtesy of Eperales
Sources:
“Minerals in the Teeth: A Balancing Act”, Healing Teeth, Soft Dental.com.
