Many people want white teeth. According to the National Library of Medicine, Americans use nearly a billion dollars on cosmetic dental procedures each year. Some eat and drink calcium-rich products, like milk and cheese to make their teeth white. Others use teeth-whitening toothpaste. However, your teeth don’t whiten again once damaged.
Tooth damage is permanent. Our teeth are covered in layers of hard tissue called enamel. Enamel is not a living tissue, so they don’t regenerate. Many people think calcium helps keep our teeth white. because it makes up our teeth and bones. However, dental experts say that milk won’t turn stained teeth white. Doctor Christine Frank approved that calcium only strengthens our teeth and enamel. Strawberries, another food known to whiten teeth, can actually damage them instead. The citric acid in strawberries speeds up the demineralization process of teeth and breaks down enamel. Malic acids in strawberries are natural teeth whiteners, but the effects are minimal and leaves them stained.
Fortunately, there are some ways to help restore weakened enamel. Before wearing out, enamel layers can be restored through remineralization. A consumer health guide by GlaxoSmithKline explains this process. When teeth are exposed to acidic substances, demineralization weakens the enamel and rids important minerals. Remineralization restores these minerals and repairs damaged enamel. Calcium in milk and cheese help restore minerals. On the other hand, fiber-rich vegetables facilitate saliva production, which protects our teeth from harmful acids. Recent studies by organizations like NCBI have stated that fluoride builds fluorapatite on our teeth which provides resistance to mineral loss.
Even though natural teeth whitening isn’t impossible, it has many limitations. Once completely withered away, enamel layers don’t come back. The best way to keep our teeth white and healthy is by regularly brushing them and avoiding stains or cavities in advance.
By. Timothy Han