Then, there's calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy drinks, tofu, canned salmon, almonds and dark green leafy vegetables that help promote strong teeth and bones.
And like apples and oranges, chewing raw carrots, celery and other fibrous and hard vegetables stimulates the gums and help to generate mouth cleansing saliva. Carrots and celery are also good sources of beta carotene, which your body needs to create vitamin A -- a nutrient essential for building strong teeth.
Eating foods such as cereals, low-sugar bread, whole grains, fruits, veggies, and proteins are great for improving your oral health. They are also vital in preventing tooth decay because when you chew firm, watery, fibrous, and coarse foods, they improve saliva production in your mouth.
Many fruits are high in acidity, including lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, grapes, and apples. The high sugar and acid content in soda makes it another huge contributor to enamel decay. Moderately acidic foods include pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, cottage cheese, maple syrup, yogurt, raisins, pickles, and honey.
Enamel can never 'regrow' per se because there are no living cells in the tooth enamel. Your best bet is to treat any existing problems from tooth decay and focus on better oral care and hygiene habits, which will preserve the enamel you have and prevent further deterioration.
High in phosphate and calcium, cheese (and milk) helps neutralize the acid in the mouth, killing bacteria and preserving tooth enamel. This prevents cavities and gum disease. Chewing celery (or apples or carrots) produces saliva, neutralizing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans that causes cavities.
Despite the health benefits, drinking too much coffee can leave a lasting mark on your smile. In fact, research shows it can increase your risk of cavities because it's acidic, which can erode your enamel. As your enamel becomes thinner, it can also lead to tooth sensitivity.
Sadly, once the enamel or bone have been worn away, you can't get them back – unless you replace the whole tooth. That being said, there are ways you can replenish those minerals with a few lifestyle changes and home remedies before tooth decay sets in. This process is called remineralization.
Periodontal disease can cause teeth to loosen in their sockets. Grinding your teeth (bruxism) can cause teeth to shift. And traumatic injuries from contact sports or accidental falls can loosen or even knock teeth out. The good news is that loose teeth can almost always be saved if they're treated in time.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): The repeated friction and stress from grinding or clenching your teeth can wear down your tooth enamel, leading to weak, brittle teeth. Food choices: Diets rich in sugary and acidic foods and lacking in certain vitamins and minerals often translate to weak and brittle teeth.
Find Relief for Weak or Worn Teeth
Avoid acidic food or drink, like citrus, tomatoes, coffee, and juice. Change the way you brush; use care to brush gently in a circular motion, with a soft toothbrush. Switch to sensitive toothpaste and rinses. Treat gum disease or receding gums to help reduce the discomfort.
Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy
Teeth whitening treatments usually work by stripping or entering the outer enamel layer, which makes teeth weaker if done many times. So, more often than not, yellow teeth are actually stronger than pearly white ones–so long as they're cleaned regularly.
No surprises here — calcium is well known to be great for your teeth. Throughout the body, calcium helps build bones and provide structural support. In your mouth, this mineral helps harden your tooth enamel and strengthen your jawbone.
The casein proteins in dairy form a coating over the teeth, protecting them from decay. The calcium present in milk is a component in building strong bones and helping repair damage to bone tissues. The neutral pH of milk helps control bacteria. The phosphorus in milk helps maintain tooth enamel.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Tooth decay is the result of an infection with certain types of bacteria that use sugars in food to make acids. Over time, these acids can make a cavity in the tooth.
Vitamin D plays a key role in bone and tooth mineralization, and when levels are unregulated it can lead to the “rachitic tooth”, which is a defective and hypomineralized organ highly susceptible to fracture and decay [35,36].
You Can't Go Wrong with Milk, Water, or Tea
Bottled water with added minerals contains calcium phosphate, an important element to help strengthen tooth enamel. Water from your faucet is full of fluoride that also strengthens teeth and does a good job at removing food particles.