If your dentist has recently informed you that your enamel is thinning or is not nearly as strong as it should be, then it is time to start thinking about an oral care regimen that encourages good dental strength. And, there are a few ways that you can keep your teeth strong. Keep reading to learn what they are.

Stay Away From Foods That Demineralize

The tooth enamel can be strengthened minimally through a process called remineralization. While this is true, if the teeth are demineralized substantially, then remineralization may not be possible. This is why it is best to stay away from foods that demineralize the teeth. What this means is that you want to avoid any food that can erode or break down the tooth enamel.

Acidic substances can cause the calcium to leach from the enamel, so try to reduce your consumption of highly acidic items like tea, coffee, soda, fruit juice, lemons, and vinegar. And, when you do consume them, you want to rinse your mouth out with water afterward.

Additionally, when you eat sugars and refined starches, you provide a food source for the bacteria that live in your mouth. The bacteria produce acids through the digestive process, so you want to avoid these foods too. This means reducing your consumption of sweets like candy, and baked goods and also avoiding a lot of white bread and crackers.

Brush Less Aggressively

While some of your enamel may be broken down chemically by acidic substances, you also need to be mindful of mechanical breakdown as well. In other words, you want to avoid the scraping and scratching of the teeth. And, the way that you brush can destroy the enamel. First and foremost, you want to brush an hour or longer after you eat something acidic. Acids do soften the enamel, so it is easier to scrape away when acids are consumed.

You also want to use only minimal pressure on the teeth, so slow down your brushing technique and be as gentle as possible. If you are having a hard time maintaining gentle pressure, then think about switching to an electric toothbrush with an automatic shutoff that stops the brush if you end up pushing too hard. 

Also, switch to a toothpaste that is advertised as a remineralization or an enamel strengthening variety. These pastes help to add fluoride to the teeth that will pull in more minerals along the enamel.

If you want to know more about the ways that you can strengthen your dental enamel, speak with your dentist or visit Thornley Dental. 

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