If you feel like your teeth are thinning or have always been thin, it’s likely due to a lack of enamel on them. This outer layer of the tooth provides protection to prevent decay and also gives the tooth strength. Thin teeth are at a higher risk of developing cavities, other dental problems, and overall health issues. So, how do you restore thin teeth?
Restoring Thin Teeth
The human body repairs itself in many ways. For instance:
- Cut nails and hair regrow
- Broken bones self-repair
- Wounds to the skin, such as burns or cuts, heal themselves
But does enamel grow back after erosion? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Tooth enamel won’t grow back because it isn’t living tissue. As such, it won’t naturally re-generate, and it can’t be artificially regrown.
However, all hope isn’t lost, as some dental products help with tooth enamel restoration. They work by re-mineralizing tooth enamel. Teeth naturally lose minerals every day when bacteria in food and beverages attack them.
Thankfully, there are specific kinds of toothpaste and dental products that work to re-mineralize dental enamel by pushing phosphates and calcium back into the teeth and causing the enamel to harden. Fluoride also plays a powerful role by capturing the phosphates and calcium that acids draw from the teeth.
Additionally, dentists can add a sealant that bonds to the enamel. This extra layer of protection acts as an enamel substitute that can last for many years.
What You Can Do at Home to Help Your Enamel
You can take many steps at home to help prevent enamel erosion and strengthen your teeth. Practice good dental hygiene habits and follow these simple tips daily:
- Decrease sugar and acidic food intake
- Rinse your mouth frequently, especially if you are unable to brush after each meal
- Use a softer toothbrush
- Brush and floss routinely
- Decrease stress and use a nightguard (if recommended by your dental provider)
Frequently Asked Questions About Thin Teeth
What is Enamel?
Enamel is the natural substance of the outermost portion of your teeth. It consists primarily of calcium phosphate. Enamel is a translucent thin shell covering the inner part of the tooth where the dentin and the nerve are located. Tooth enamel is the most mineralized area of the body, and it can naturally range from greyish to yellowish-white. It’s also the hardest substance in the body, even harder than the bones. However, it’s not indestructible.
How Durable is Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel thickness varies from one tooth to another and also from one person to another. However, it remains a thin shell on each tooth. As such, forceful impacts and excessive wear will damage enamel. Teeth grinding is also very damaging to tooth enamel. If tooth enamel chips, dentists can shape and contour it, but only if there is enough enamel to protect the inner part of the tooth. Enamel is not a living tissue, so it doesn’t have the ability to grow back, although it’s possible to remineralize tooth enamel.
Smiles on the Upper West Side: Your Partners in Dental Health
At Smiles on the Upper Westside, we take your dental concerns seriously. If you are concerned about thinning teeth, we can help. You can take the next step in getting stronger, healthier teeth by contacting us online or calling us at 212-222-5225 to request an appointment.