I was just wondering if there is anyway to do this, I think that my teeth are only yellow because my enamel is transparent around the edges which shows the teeth's dentin. Will I always have yellow teeth because of this ;( and I'm only 14.
Well if the enamel is gone, then it's gone and there is nothing you can do to restore it***. However, I'd guess your enamel is just thinning and so it's not completely gone.
You want to purchase some enamel restoring mouth wash with Sodium Fluoride in it (a good brand is ACT). You can pick it up at your local Walmart or other supermarket. You'll want to use it once a day, and you can't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using it (preferably brush and floss before hand).
It doesn't create new enamel but rather restores the enamel you have left, and makes it harder and stronger.
Enamel is broken down by acid. You can get this from drinking acidic drinks (juice/sodas) acidic fruit (strawberries) and any food with sugars/carbs (which is pretty much everything except meat). The food items with sugars/carbs and ingested by bacteria in your mouth, they excrete lactic acid as their waste product (their way of using the bathroom) and that's why sugary foods damage your teeth.
How to reduce the acid damage:
Immediately brush after every meal (unless its ACIDIC) with a soft bristled tooth brush and dont use aggressive brushing techniques which can erode enamel. Make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably after every meal tho.
If the meal is acidic it's important not to brush until 30 minutes later. This gives your enamel time to re harden. During the 30 minute period make sure to drink water and use it as a mouth wash (swish it around get the water in between your teeth). This will help dilute the acid and reduce damage.
If you drink soda/juice try to cut back or quit. If you still drink them use the tips above.
A final tip is, if you ever get dry mouth (the source of my own cavities until I realized it was a problem) make sure to get a dry mouth wash (such as Biotene). It's basically artificial saliva that keeps your teeth moist which protects them from bacteria. Saliva has enzymes in it that inhibits and destroy bacteria (which is why dogs are more resistant to cavities- they're always drooling), the artificial saliva basically replicates the enzymes and protects your mouth. I use Biotene at night otherwise I wake up with a desert for a mouth.
Lastly, if you want your teeth whitened talk to a dentist and see what he recommends. Or perhaps something like Crest White strips.
***The asterisk was to point out that scientist are currently running trials on a gel applied to teeth whose enamel is missing, but there isn't severe damage to the dentin. The gel repairs the enamel within a month or two. Basically meaning if you went into the dentist and he saw a cavity forming, he would give you a gel, you'd brush it on and voila, no fillings required (the thicker enamel would also whiten the teeth). Unfortunately, the product is just now beginning human testing, and we're looking at 5 or so years until its commercially available.
Enamel cannot be regenerated. The best way is to preserve what you have. Use only a soft brush and learn how to brush correctly so that your enamel is maintained. Stay away from detrimental habits like pencil chewing. Fluoride in water and toothpaste helps make the enamel stronger.
I was just wondering if there is anyway to do this, I think that my teeth are only yellow because my enamel is transparent around the edges which shows the teeth's dentin. Will I always have yellow teeth because of this ;( and I'm only 14.
Looking ahead, the product is called Lumineers, thin porcelein.veneers. , They are glued to teeth,. So do all the things John says, study hard and get a good job so you can afford the veneers, when you are older.
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Well if the enamel is gone, then it's gone and there is nothing you can do to restore it***. However, I'd guess your enamel is just thinning and so it's not completely gone.
You want to purchase some enamel restoring mouth wash with Sodium Fluoride in it (a good brand is ACT). You can pick it up at your local Walmart or other supermarket. You'll want to use it once a day, and you can't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using it (preferably brush and floss before hand).
It doesn't create new enamel but rather restores the enamel you have left, and makes it harder and stronger.
Enamel is broken down by acid. You can get this from drinking acidic drinks (juice/sodas) acidic fruit (strawberries) and any food with sugars/carbs (which is pretty much everything except meat). The food items with sugars/carbs and ingested by bacteria in your mouth, they excrete lactic acid as their waste product (their way of using the bathroom) and that's why sugary foods damage your teeth.
How to reduce the acid damage:
Immediately brush after every meal (unless its ACIDIC) with a soft bristled tooth brush and dont use aggressive brushing techniques which can erode enamel. Make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably after every meal tho.
If the meal is acidic it's important not to brush until 30 minutes later. This gives your enamel time to re harden. During the 30 minute period make sure to drink water and use it as a mouth wash (swish it around get the water in between your teeth). This will help dilute the acid and reduce damage.
If you drink soda/juice try to cut back or quit. If you still drink them use the tips above.
A final tip is, if you ever get dry mouth (the source of my own cavities until I realized it was a problem) make sure to get a dry mouth wash (such as Biotene). It's basically artificial saliva that keeps your teeth moist which protects them from bacteria. Saliva has enzymes in it that inhibits and destroy bacteria (which is why dogs are more resistant to cavities- they're always drooling), the artificial saliva basically replicates the enzymes and protects your mouth. I use Biotene at night otherwise I wake up with a desert for a mouth.
Lastly, if you want your teeth whitened talk to a dentist and see what he recommends. Or perhaps something like Crest White strips.
_____________________________________________________________________________
***The asterisk was to point out that scientist are currently running trials on a gel applied to teeth whose enamel is missing, but there isn't severe damage to the dentin. The gel repairs the enamel within a month or two. Basically meaning if you went into the dentist and he saw a cavity forming, he would give you a gel, you'd brush it on and voila, no fillings required (the thicker enamel would also whiten the teeth). Unfortunately, the product is just now beginning human testing, and we're looking at 5 or so years until its commercially available.
________________________________________________________________________________
TLDR:
Buy sodium flouride mouth wash
Brush twice a day, but wait at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods
Floss
Use Biotene if you have dry mouth
Try not to eat acidic/sugary drinks and foods.
To whiten - consult your dentist or maybe purchase some whiting strips
Can Enamel Be Restored
Enamel cannot be regenerated. The best way is to preserve what you have. Use only a soft brush and learn how to brush correctly so that your enamel is maintained. Stay away from detrimental habits like pencil chewing. Fluoride in water and toothpaste helps make the enamel stronger.
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RE:
how to restore enamel?
I was just wondering if there is anyway to do this, I think that my teeth are only yellow because my enamel is transparent around the edges which shows the teeth's dentin. Will I always have yellow teeth because of this ;( and I'm only 14.
An outstanding answer by John.
Looking ahead, the product is called Lumineers, thin porcelein.veneers. , They are glued to teeth,. So do all the things John says, study hard and get a good job so you can afford the veneers, when you are older.