The Role of Saliva and Fluoride in Tooth Remineralization

Tooth mineralization sounds like an expensive dental procedure for those who don’t know. But, in reality, it’s just the natural reparative process that occurs daily inside our mouths. It’s a simple process that repairs the lost enamel (outermost tooth layer) and helps prevent cavities.

At Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry, and can explain everything you need to know about tooth remineralization and how you can boost its effectiveness.

The Role Of Saliva In Teeth Remineralization

The role of saliva is to neutralize harmful acids by supplying the teeth with calcium and phosphate ions for remineralization. In addition, it prevents debris accumulation and washes away acid-producing bacteria. However, you must maintain the proper pH balance in your saliva for optimal remineralization by maintaining an alkaline diet and reducing acidic food intake.

Demineralization only occurs when the bacteria production rate is higher than the bacteria removal rate. You can also neutralize acidic saliva with proper hydration, which helps prevent dry mouth.

The Role Of Fluoride In Teeth Remineralization

When you apply fluoride to your teeth, it replaces some of the lost calcium due to demineralization. This switch assists in remineralization with phosphate from saliva and makes the enamel layer more resistant to acid damage. Fluoride generally comes in the form of toothpaste or mouth wash.

Brushing teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste can decrease bacterial growth and reduce damaging acid. Another way to boost remineralization is by eating foods naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, and meat. Lastly, a regular dental checkup can help identify and treat demineralization before it worsens.

For a routine cleanup or professional level of intervention to reverse severe demineralization, we recommend visiting Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry. Call us at (803) 310-4707 to schedule an appointment with us.