Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
While the enamel can't grow back, it can be remineralized with special tooth repair kits. Certain toothpastes and dental products push calcium and phosphates back into the teeth and harden the enamel. Fluoride plays a powerful role by capturing the calcium and phosphates that acids draw out of the teeth.
"You can't regrow tooth enamel, but you can remineralize it," says upwave review-board member Mark Wolff, DDS, a professor of dentistry at New York University. "That's what these [toothpastes] actually do... They push calcium and phosphates back into the tooth, and it hardens the enamel." The secret weapon?
As the enamel erodes more, your teeth may appear grayish or yellow. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial. Eventually, you may notice cracks in the teeth or experience loss of tooth material.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
It could be the result of an acidic diet, medication side reactions or just vigorous brushing. Dry mouth, low salivary flow, diet high in sugar and starches, bruxism and friction, acid reflux disease, gastrointestinal problems and even genetics could also be blamed for enamel erosion.
Tooth enamel erosion exposes the inner layers of your teeth to open air and the foods and drinks you consume. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities. In addition, tooth enamel loss can make your teeth more sensitive to heat, cold and sweets. They may also stain more easily.
When a substantial amount of enamel wears away from the tooth, the yellowish dentin layer becomes more visible. This can give the tooth a yellowish appearance. This differs from yellow stains that can appear on the tooth's surface due to smoking and the consumption of certain foods and beverages.
If your teeth have already thinned, there are a few treatments that help restore the enamel. Dental bonding, a treatment that involves the application of a composite resin to your teeth, is one option. Veneers are another option for those who are interested.
Severe, painful sensitivity.
In later stages of enamel erosion, teeth become extremely sensitive to temperatures and sweets. You may feel a painful jolt that takes your breath away.
There are a number of ways that you can whiten your teeth if they are or have already yellowed; these are a mix of over-the-counter toothpastes, home whitening products or, in some cases, mechanical plaque removal by a dentist or hygienist.
This is because teeth can become translucent due to the effects of enamel erosion, which is a slow, gradual process. As the enamel wears down and becomes thinner, it begins to lose its natural color. This allows the underlying dentin layer to show through.
Unlike a broken bone that can heal itself, enamel has no living cells, meaning once the damage is done, it's permanent.
Help guard against the daily effects of acid erosion with Sensodyne's line of toothpastes specially formulated for enamel protection. Our Pronamel range strengthens and rehardens weakened enamel for ongoing protection against acid wear. They are also specially formulated for sensitive teeth.
The remineralization process usually takes about three to four months to take effect. However, once you begin to better fortify your enamel, you may start to see stronger teeth, experience less sensitivity, and even reveal a whiter smile.
Your dental professional may recommend restorative treatments like sealants, crowns, implants, and bonding. These will restore the size, shape, strength, and appearance of the affected teeth.
Sometimes, thin or damaged tooth enamel means you're not a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. However, our dentist provides an assessment before whitening to answer this question based on your oral health specifics. You might be surprised to learn that you're a candidate after all!
Tooth enamel erosion and wear weakens the overall structure of your smile, exposing you to an increased risk for tooth decay (cavities), dental chips and cracks, and infection in or around the tooth.
As we get older, we have an ever-growing list of things to worry about. If your teeth aren't already on that list, they should be. Just like the rest of your body, your teeth change as you age. Enamel gets thinner, while stains accumulate.
The bad news is, once your enamel has eroded, it won't grow back. Because enamel is mostly inorganic, your body can't regenerate it once it's lost. Now for the good news: enamel can be remineralized with fluoride treatment.
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
Brushing your teeth is meant to remove harmful bacteria and plaque but not to whiten them. As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day is vital because it prevents cavities and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not whiten your teeth, though, and even whitening toothpaste only has a minimal effect on your teeth.
Dental Plaque and Tartar can Turn Your Teeth Yellow at the Gum Line. Dental plaque is a soft and sticky film that regularly builds up on your teeth. Sometimes a thin layer of plaque appears clear, but turns yellow as it accumulates. Plaque develops when bacteria in the mouth combine with food byproducts and proteins.