Remineralization: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

Remineralization is the re-storage of minerals in hard tissues, such as the teeth or bones. Acidosis causes hard tissues to demineralize and become brittle. In the mouth, saliva is responsible for remineralization, which itself is supersaturated with minerals.

What is remineralization?

Remineralization is the re-storage of minerals in hard tissues, such as the teeth. The teeth and bones of humans are made up of inorganic components. These inorganic substances are the minerals. Especially calcium and phosphate are contained in the hard substances of the body. Therefore, in the formation of these hard tissues, mineralization is a crucial step. By this, medicine understands the gradual storage of minerals in the teeth and the bones. Especially in the oral cavity, however, a daily demineralization of the hard tissues naturally takes place. Inorganic substances are dissolved out of the hard substances again as part of this demineralization. This is done either by the body’s own acids, such as stomach acid, or by acidic foods. In the mouth, saliva takes on a buffering function during demineralization. The secretion ensures that the teeth are not completely demineralized. Saliva neutralizes acids and thus protects the mineral balance of the teeth. Thus, a balanced alternation between remineralization and demineralization takes place in the mouth. Accordingly, medicine understands remineralization as the re-storage of minerals in hard tissue, as ensured in the mouth by saliva.

Function and task

Mineralization is a crucial process for the formation of hard tissue. In teeth, mineralization is the hardening process of enamel and dentin. Thanks to this mineralization, teeth are resistant and relatively fracture resistant. The same is true for the mineralization of bones. The bone substance would be brittle and threatened by fractures without the minerals. Remineralization thus maintains the mineral content in hard tissues, ensuring that the resistance of these tissues is preserved. Saliva plays an important role in the remineralization of decalcified teeth. Saliva consists of water, proteins and minerals such as calcium and phosphate. Demineralized teeth can insert these minerals like small building blocks into decalcified areas and thus maintain the protective enamel. The fact that the minerals do not decay prematurely during the insertion process is thanks to the proteins in the saliva. The proteins also ensure that not too many minerals are bound to the teeth. They clean the tooth surfaces like a biochemical toothbrush. The fact that sugar-free chewing gums are said to have an effect on dental hygiene is due, for example, to their stimulating effect on the salivary glands. Saliva is a solution of perfectly coordinated individual components, which together ensure the health of the teeth. The teeth bathe, so to speak, in a bath supersaturated with minerals and can thus repair minor mineral losses and compensate for acid attacks by storing minerals. In this way, demineralization and remineralization are kept in balance in the mouth of a healthy person. However, the balance between demineralization and remineralization can be threatened by various dietary habits, such as excessive consumption of acidic beverages or other foods. Oral hygiene with flouride-containing substances can restore the balance, should it be lost, and support remineralization.

Diseases and ailments

With regard to teeth, caries is probably the best-known manifestation of insufficient remineralization. Among other things, caries presents itself in patients with hyposalivation. This refers to the lack of secretion of saliva, which is a natural process, especially in old age. The salivary glands reduce their activity with aging. Dryness of the mouth occurs and saliva loses its buffering function and, in extreme cases, even changes composition. The less saliva there is in the mouth, the less the body can compensate for the natural decalcification of the teeth. Only saliva and its remineralizing functions ensure that a person’s teeth remain intact into old age. In the case of bones, a lack of remineralization can in turn cause diseases such as osteoporosis.In this phenomenon, a gradual decalcification of the bone substance occurs. Those affected suffer more frequently from fractures and their bones are hardly flexible any more. The mechanism of osteoporosis is not yet fully understood. However, dietary habits probably play a role in the disease that should not be underestimated. Lack of or insufficient remineralization can also be due to general deficiency symptoms in the organism. The inadequate supply of minerals and an incorrect balance in the composition of nutrients may play a role in this context. For example, for bone remineralization the body needs not only minerals, but also vital substances and vitamins such as vitamin D. If one of these substances is only available in the organism to an insufficient extent, disturbances in the compensation of acid attacks will occur. Reduced absorption of minerals in the intestine may also lead to insufficient remineralization. This phenomenon may be present in the context of various intestinal diseases or may occur, for example, in the case of intestinal inflammation caused by the autoimmune disease Crohn’s disease. Metabolic diseases can also be responsible for disorders of remineralization. In the case of a misdirected calciumphosphate metabolism, for example, a decalcification of the body’s own hard tissues visibly sets in.