If you cut your hair or trim your nails, they eventually grow back (usually quicker than you would like.) But what about your tooth enamel? Once it wears away, what can be done? We want to explain why it is so important to take good care of your tooth enamel, and what can be done when it wears away.
So, to answer the question: No, your tooth enamel cannot grow back. Some products claim to rejuvenate enamel, but this isn’t really true. Enamel is the hard, translucent outer layer of your teeth that protects the softer inner layers. It is actually the hardest tissue in your body, but it is not living tissue, so it can’t regrow itself. When your teeth erupt, they have all the enamel they will ever have.
But that is no reason to fall into worry. There is a lot you can do to protect and even strengthen the enamel you have. One thing is to use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps remineralize your tooth enamel by reincorporating minerals like calcium and phosphates into the tooth. This strengthens the enamel. Not all toothpastes contain fluoride, so look for an ADA Seal of Acceptance to be sure. You can also limit the amount of enamel-eating acid in your diet by cutting down on citrus and sugars. If you do eat something acidic, rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the acid.
Taking care of your tooth enamel is essential for good oral health. If you need to schedule a cleaning or have any questions about what you can do to protect your mouth, call Art & Science Family Dentistry at 651-739-1894 today.