The enamel of your teeth wears out over time. The good news is you have a lot of control over how fast it goes away and how strong it can come back.
1. Flourishing with fluoride
If you’re one of those folks who believes in the conspiracy theory that the government is adding fluoride to the water in order to control our minds, then please skip to item number 2. That’s because fluoride in the drinking supply has effectively lowered the incidence of tooth decay since it has been a part of the water supply since 1945. So when you purchase toothpaste, make sure it is ADA certified and contains these enamel-building ingredients: sodium chloride, dissolved calcium, phosphate, and fluoride.
2. Dietary no-nos
You know the drill when it comes to sugary foods. Avoid or reduce them, and brush afterward if you do enjoy them. But remember that starchy foods, like potato chips, also stick to your teeth. And as they break down, they convert into sugar and wear away your tooth enamel just like a lollipop.
3. Dietary yesses
The good news is that many of the foods you likely enjoy will help your body fortify its enamel. Dairy products, thanks to their high amount of calcium and phosphorous, are enamel builders. So make sure you have milk, yogurt, cheese and kefir (a type of yogurt drink) in your diet.
Foods with a lot of fiber and antioxidants should also be a dietary mainstay, so think about adding kale, celery and fruits like strawberries to your diet. Meanwhile, don’t think the proteins you eat have little effect on enamel. Beef and chicken contain phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium, all of which sustain healthy enamel.
4. Habitual no-nos
Brushing hard and eating late. Those two habits, if omitted from your daily goings on, are the quickest way to letting your enamel rebuild. Brushing your teeth too hard chisels away at the enamel. So chill out when you brush and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep the damage at nil.
Eating late is a common trigger for acid reflux issues. That acid, sitting in your mouth overnight, is enemy number one to the enamel of your teeth. It’s better to eat a later dinner and avoid snacking before bed.
Another common nighttime enamel no-no is grinding one’s teeth during sleep. Ask your dentist about getting a mouthguard and consider doing some meditation and relaxation exercises before going to bed.
5. Habitual yesses
Chewing sugarless gum is an excellent habit to establish when it comes to building up your enamel. Try enjoying your favorite sugarless gum between meals and watch how much more saliva you’ll produce ( up to 10 times the normal flow). Saliva production is important because it contains the minerals that help enamel build. Look for sugar-free gum with xylitol, as it has been shown to reduce acid levels of various drinks and foods.
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