There is more to weak teeth than just a less-than-perfect smile. They can have a detrimental effect on your health, causing discomfort, making eating difficult, and even causing serious infections.
The good news is that you have the power to change things! By adopting a few simple yet incredibly effective habits, you can not only halt teeth weakening, but also strengthen your teeth and boost your oral health.
Let’s get into these six magical habits that can restore your teeth to their shining, strong glory!
What Factors Lead to Weak Teeth?
Your teeth and gums are affected by quite a few factors. Here are the usual suspects:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria will have a party in your mouth. Bacteria love to munch on food particles that get stuck on your teeth and produce acids, which weakens your pearly whites.
- Acidic Food and Drinks: It isn’t uncommon for us to enjoy acidic foods and beverages. We’re talking about soda, citrus fruits, and vinegar-based foods. They’re tasty, but they can also erode our tooth enamel over time. Moderation is key, but it doesn’t mean you can’t eat soda and oranges in moderation.
- Grinding or Clenching: It is possible to crack or chip your teeth when you grind or clench your teeth, especially if you do it while you sleep.
- Sugar: The benefits of sugary snacks may outweigh the risks. Oral cavity bacteria break down the sugar into acids, eroding your enamel.
- Certain Medications and Medical Conditions: A number of medications and medical conditions can cause dry mouth or cause more acid to enter your mouth, both of which can damage your enamel.
Is It Possible to Rebuild Tooth Enamel?
You can think of your enamel as the bodyguard that protects your teeth’s softer, more sensitive inner parts from decay.
However, what happens to the enamel of the tooth when lost? Is it gone forever? Unfortunately, yes. Unlike your bones, which contain living cells that can help them heal and regenerate, your tooth enamel has no such ability.
How to Make Your Teeth Stronger
You can strengthen your teeth’s enamel through a process called remineralization (that is, filling your body with minerals that strengthen your teeth). And trust us, your teeth will thank you for it!
1. Strengthening Tooth Enamel and Promoting Healthy Teeth Through Diet
Here are some teeth-boosting foods that will have your enamel saying, “Thank you!”
- Cheese, Please: You’re welcome to eat cheese, a calcium-rich food that will keep your teeth healthy and strong. Plus, it’s totally brace-friendly, so go ahead and indulge!
- Milk It: Milk is another calcium-rich beverage that’s great for your teeth. Even if you have passed your cookie-dunking days, don’t give up this enamel-friendly beverage. Almond and soy milk are also good choices, especially for those who are lactose-intolerant.
- Yogurt Yumminess: In addition to supplying calcium to your diet, yogurt, especially Greek varieties, is also a healthy way to include probiotic-rich foods! The good bacteria in your mouth combat bad bacteria, leading to healthier teeth and gums.
For patients with braces, go for the smooth varieties. You won’t have to worry about bits getting stuck in your brackets that way! - Crunchy Vegetables: You can keep your teeth in tip-top shape by eating crunchy vegetables that are great for your overall health. To avoid wire-bending accidents when wearing braces, cut your veggies into bite-sized pieces.
- Fishy Business: Among the foods rich in healthy fats are fish, such as salmon, that contain vitamin D, which helps your teeth absorb calcium.
- Strawberries for the Win: There is no doubt that strawberries are healthy for your teeth. They contain malic acid, which whitens your teeth naturally. However, be aware that strawberries can be very acidic if you have sensitive teeth or are wearing braces.
2. Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods
You just ate a sugary donut, or perhaps gulped a fizzy soda. What you may not know is that the bacteria in your mouth are about to throw a wild party. Sugar is a favorite food of these bacteria, so they eat it and then produce acid.
During a process known as demineralization, this acid attacks your tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity, discoloration, and cavities.
3. Setting Up a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
Taking care of your teeth is a no-brainer, but here’s a tip that not everyone knows: when you’ve just eaten something acidic, don’t brush right away. If you brush right after eating something acidic, your enamel will be softened, and if you brush straight away, it will wear off. Before brushing, wait 30 minutes, so your saliva can neutralize the acid and help remineralize your teeth.
Brushing shouldn’t be taken lightly. Use fluoride toothpaste or remineralization toothpaste to strengthen your enamel. Take your time, and make sure you get all those hidden crevices and corners.
Now, let’s talk about flossing, which is a great way to get rid of those tricky spaces between your teeth where you can’t reach with a regular toothbrush. If you have trouble flossing, give interdental brushing a try. It will help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Also, keep your tongue clean by brushing it or using a tongue scraper.
4. Make Sure You Drink Plenty of Water
The Swiss Army knife of drinks, water does so much for our bodies, and yes, that includes our oral health.
After meals, drinking water can help wash away bits of food and dilute mouth acids produced by bacteria. So, if you drink water every day, you’re doing your enamel a great favor! Less acid means less damage to your enamel.
There is no substitute for fluoridated water. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Some people call it nature’s cavity fighter.
5. Putting An End to Late-Night Teeth Grinding
If you want strong teeth, you must stop teeth grinding or bruxism.
You put a tremendous amount of pressure on your teeth when you grind them. Over time, this type of teeth marathoning can lead to chipped teeth, enamel wear, increased tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
By beating bruxism, you’re giving your teeth a much-deserved vacation. They get to relax, and your enamel stays intact, keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
6. Don’t Visit Your Dentist Only When Something’s Wrong
Keep your teeth in tip-top shape by visiting your dentist regularly. It’s like a spa day for your smile!
Your dentist can spot any potential problems in their early stages, such as cavities or gum disease, which might be weakening your teeth without you even knowing. Furthermore, they’ll clean your teeth professionally, removing plaque and tartar that’s hard to shift at home, thus preventing enamel wear!
Are You Looking for More Ways to Strengthen Your Teeth? Loudoun Orthodontics Can Help!
Contact Loudoun Orthodontics if you think orthodontic treatment is the solution to your dental woes. Whether you want to learn more about the benefits of orthodontic treatment or have questions about the process, use our live chat or call (703) 858-0303 or send us a message through our contact us page to connect with our friendly staff today to book a complimentary orthodontic consultation! Our office, located at 19465 Deerfield Ave, Suite 304, Leesburg, VA 20176, proudly serves not just Loudoun County but also the Greater Washington DC area. So, if you’re residing in Ashburn, Lansdowne, or Sterling, and are looking for one of the best orthodontists in Virginia, don’t hesitate to visit our office! We also invite you to keep up with our blog to get answers to many of the frequently asked questions about maintaining sparkling oral health, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to become a part of our smiling community!
References
- Cherney, Kristeen. “11 Ways to Remineralize Your Teeth.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 4 May 2023, www.healthline.com/health/remineralizing-teeth. Accessed 1 June 2023.