Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to restore enamel
• Method 2 of 2: How to care for your teeth
• Tips
• Warnings

Over time, tooth enamel can become thinner due to nutrition, improper care, or health problems. If you notice signs of enamel erosion (for example, yellowed areas of the teeth or increased sensitivity to temperature), know that there are several ways to solve the problem.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to restore enamel

1. 1 Find out what causes enamel erosion. Enamel erosion can have a number of causes, including poor diet and certain medical conditions. Knowing the reasons can help prevent the situation from getting worse.
   • Sour drinks, including citrus juices and sodas, can cause enamel thinning.
   • A diet high in starch and sugar also causes erosion.
   • Enamel can become thinner due to several conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, dry mouth, inherited conditions, saliva deficiency, and digestive problems.
   • Some drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, antihistamines) can provoke erosion.
   • Erosion of the enamel can occur due to mechanical factors: wear, teeth grinding, friction, hard pressure when cleaning teeth and brushing teeth with softened enamel.
   • Improper dental care can cause enamel erosion.
2. 2 Learn to recognize the signs of enamel thinning.
   • The teeth turn yellow. This is due to the fact that the dentin appears through the thinned enamel.
   • Hypersensitivity to temperature, sugary foods and drinks.
   • Chipped and cracked teeth.
   • Pits and depressions on the surface of the teeth.
   • Visible dark spots on the teeth.
3. 3 Brush your teeth with a fluoride paste. Fluoride makes teeth less vulnerable to acid and can even repair enamel in the early stages of erosion. If you brush your teeth with a suitable toothpaste twice a day, you can restore the enamel or stop the thinning process.
   • You can buy fluoride paste at pharmacies and supermarkets.
   • Ask your dentist about fluoride. An excess of this substance can cause other problems (such as fluorosis), especially in children.
   • Your doctor may prescribe a special strong paste that you can buy with a prescription.
4. 4 Rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash. If the paste seems too caustic for you, try rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash. This will restore the enamel or stop further thinning.
   • You can buy fluoride mouthwash at pharmacies and some hypermarkets.
   • Your doctor may prescribe a stronger remedy if regular mouthwash doesn't help.
5. 5 Ask your doctor for dental fluoridation. The most effective fluoride treatment is the application of a special formulation by the dentist. The composition can be applied to the teeth as a coating, but it is also possible to keep the composition on the teeth in a tray. Your doctor may prescribe a fluoride gel for you to use at home. Fluoride will protect teeth from further enamel thinning, caries and will be beneficial for dental health.
   • Fluoride will strengthen the enamel and prolong the life of fillings and other artificial elements.
6. 6 Mineralize your teeth naturally. Try to replenish your teeth with minerals regularly to stop thinning and restore enamel.
   • Eat healthy fats, including sour cream and coconut oil, to help mineralize your teeth and stop erosion. Bone broth is also good.
   • Take vitamin D and calcium to restore enamel.
   • Add a quarter cup of coconut oil to your food daily.
7. 7 Talk to your dentist about your enamel restoration options. If simple remedies don't work for you, ask your doctor about other treatments. The doctor's prescription will depend on the degree of erosion and the presence of caries. You may be advised to get crowns, fillings or veneers.
8. 8 Place a crown on a tooth that is badly decayed and thinned. The crown will cover the tooth and restore its original shape. Crowns are custom made and can stop further tooth and enamel decay.
   • The doctor will remove the decayed part of the tooth and enamel and install the crown.
   • Crowns can be gold, porcelain or composite.
9. 9 Attach the veneers to your teeth. Dental veneers, that is, onlays on the teeth, are glued to the outer surface of the teeth. Veneers cover chips, cracks, erosion and prevent further destruction of the enamel.
10. 10 Restore the enamel with fillings. Fillings are placed in place of caries, which causes the destruction of the enamel. Fillings prevent further enamel thinning and help keep the rest of your teeth healthy.
    • Fillings are made from tooth-colored material, gold or silver composite or amalgam. Fillings allow you to get rid of holes and reduce the sensitivity of your teeth.
11. 11 Consider using a dental sealant. A dental sealant coats deep grooves in molars and false roots and protects teeth from decay. Ask your dentist to apply this substance to your teeth. This will protect them from acid and other factors for up to 10 years.
12. 12 Complete the recovery process. You may need to visit your dentist multiple times to completely restore the enamel. Follow your doctor's recommendations for dental treatment and care.

Method 2 of 2: How to care for your teeth

1. 1 Brush and floss your teeth every day, including after meals. This will keep your teeth, fillings and gums healthy. Keeping your mouth clean at all times can help prevent tooth stains and enamel erosion.
   • Brush and floss your teeth after meals, if you can. If food remains between the teeth, it creates a dangerous environment for the enamel.If you don't have a brush on hand, chew gum.
2. 2 Keep track of how much sugar, sour drinks, and foods you eat. Sweet and sour drinks and foods tend to thin the enamel. Try to consume less of these foods and drinks. Brush your teeth after drinking or eating something sweet or sour to protect your enamel.
   • Eat a balanced diet. Eat lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. It is beneficial for health, including dental health.
   • Even some healthy foods are high in acid (like citrus fruits). Continue to eat them, but limit the amount and brush your teeth after eating if possible.
   • Eat less sugary drinks, candy, cookies, and wine.
3. 3 Do not use mouthwashes or toothpastes with alcohol. Such products can make the enamel more vulnerable and even stain it. Use non-alcoholic color pastes and rinses to avoid these problems.
   • Alcohol-free mouthwashes and pastes are available in convenience stores and pharmacies.
4. 4 Drink tap water, not bottled water. In Russia and some cities of the CIS, water is fluoridated to prevent problems with teeth and their enamel. Unless bottled water says it contains fluoride, the water is distilled, filtered, and reverse osmosis water free from fluoride. Excessive enthusiasm for bottled water can be the reason for an increase in the incidence of tooth decay in children. Drinking bottled water instead of tap water may be causing the enamel to erode.
   • In addition, many brands of water contain a lot of acid, which is also harmful to the teeth.
   • Check with the manufacturer of the water you drink to see if the water contains fluoride.
5. 5 Don't grind your teeth. If you are used to gritting your teeth, be aware that it can damage your enamel. Ask your dentist to prescribe special protective pads for you.
   • Teeth grinding destroys fillings and other artificial elements in the mouth and increases the sensitivity and vulnerability of teeth to chips and cracks.
   • You should also avoid biting your nails, opening bottles, or holding objects with your teeth. Break these habits if you want your teeth and fillings to last longer.
6. 6 Make an appointment with your dentist regularly and get ultrasonic cleaning. This is an important part of dental care. Visit your dentist at least twice a year, or more often if you have problems with your teeth or enamel.
7. 7 Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing increases the production of saliva, which is beneficial for the teeth. Xylitol reduces bacteria and slows down the development of tooth decay, so choose xylitol chewing gum.

Tips

• Try to brush your teeth after eating so that plaque does not build up on your teeth. If this is not possible, chew sugarless gum or rinse your mouth with water.
• Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. It is easier to prevent than to cure.
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking a highly acidic beverage (such as wine), as this can weaken the enamel. Wait at least half an hour.

Warnings

• Check with your dentist or therapist before changing your diet or dental care.