How to restore the enamel?

Tooth enamel is a largely inorganic, i.e. “inanimate” material. This means that it cannot be subsequently built up by cells. Once the tooth enamel has been lost, whether through caries, tooth breakage or acid-related erosion, it can only be restored by the introduction of external material.

These materials today are mainly tooth-colored plastic. To do this, the caries must first be removed and the tooth must be pre-treated with various means to create a bond between the two phases. In the past, the silver-colored metal amalgam was often used for fillings.

In contrast to a carious defect, demineralization must be mentioned here. This is an acid-related roughening/roughening of the enamel, which causes elements to be released from the most superficial enamel layer. However, these elements can be reintroduced by remineralization, i.e. the reinstallation of the released elements.

Regular fluoridation helps here, as it strengthens the enamel. There are various toothpastes that harden the enamel by daily brushing. The reason for the hardening is the ingredient fluoride.

If this is contained in the toothpaste, the enamel can remineralize and thus the uppermost layer of enamel can be hardened again every day. In principle, every adult is recommended to brush twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. In addition, dental care should be extended once a week to include the use of a fluoride gel. This is a toothpaste with a high fluoride content that protects the enamel from caries. This is offered by many manufacturers, but Elmex Gelee® is used particularly frequently.

Enamel and caries

Although enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it is not untouchable. Bacteria in dental plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. Strangely enough, such destruction does not start on the surface of the enamel, but just below it without the top layer collapsing.

In this situation the process can still be repaired with the help of fluoridation. However, once the surface has been destroyed, the caries progresses further and can only be stopped by a dental filling. Acidic fruit juices also attack the tooth enamel by roughening the surface.If the teeth are then brushed, the roughened layer is removed. Therefore, after drinking acidic juices you should always wait a while before brushing your teeth.