Introduction
Enamel is the hardest material in the human body. It surrounds the dentin (also called dentin) in the area of the crown of the tooth and protects it from wear and tear. The dentin is in direct contact with the dental pulp, where nerves and blood vessels run through millions of tubules and is therefore very sensitive to pain.
The tooth enamel is composed of crystalline enamel prisms. Due to its crystalline structure, tooth enamel shines in a normal state. It consists of approx.
97% inorganic components such as hydroxyapatite, which consists of calcium and phosphate. The rest are organic components. The enamel, which is generally approx.
2.5mm thick, is not supplied with blood and contains no cells and therefore cannot regenerate itself. Furthermore, no nerves run through the enamel. For this reason, patients do not feel any pain in case of caries in the enamel.
Build up enamel
Since it is not supplied with blood or nerves, enamel cannot regenerate itself. This means that enamel that has already been worn out cannot be rebuilt. Only the enamel that is still present can be strengthened and protected from further decay.
This can be done by remineralization. This means that missing minerals are added to it, which strengthen it again. If the dentist has diagnosed a degradation of enamel on the basis of the typical signs, it is very important to find out what the trigger for this is.
As a first step, home remedies can be used to strengthen the enamel. Healthy fats such as coconut oil are suitable household remedies. Bone broth can also help to mineralize the tooth again.
Furthermore, vitamin D or calcium preparations can help strengthen the enamel. The most important measure for remineralizing the tooth enamel is brushing with toothpaste containing a high fluoride content at least twice a day. The fluoride from the toothpaste can penetrate the enamel and strengthen it from the inside.
This protects the teeth from further enamel decay, prevents caries and improves general oral hygiene. Its use in children should be discussed with the dentist treating them, as too much fluoride can cause problems during the development of permanent teeth. Therefore, children should not take fluoride tablets in addition to children’s toothpaste containing fluoride (whose fluoride content is reduced by 70%), which is often prescribed by the pediatrician.
In addition to fluoride toothpaste, there are also jellies that can be applied to the teeth. These can be used once a week. In general, it is very important not to brush the affected areas with too much pressure, as this could promote a further decline in enamel.
Schüssler salts are medicines that are often used to build up or strengthen the mineral balance in the body. According to their inventor, they do not completely belong to the field of homeopathy, as they are based on a different concept. There are 27 different types of Schüssler salts.
Schüssler salts 12 and 22 are recommended for use to strengthen the enamel. They consist of calcium fluoride, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate and remineralize the hard tooth tissue. Usually the Schüssler salts are administered in tablet form.
As these contain lactose, a milk sugar, they are also available in the form of globules in case of lactose intolerance. Homeopathic remedies are often used to strengthen the tooth enamel. Homeopathy is based on the concept of correcting a disorder of the body and restoring it to its pure functioning form. A homeopath must be consulted to find out the reason for the disorder and to find a suitable therapy. Patients like to use the so-called Schüssler salts in addition.
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