Remineralizing Toothpaste: How Does It Work & Why Should You Use It?

Okay, so you brush twice a day, floss once a day, avoid sugary snacks and see your dentist regularly, and now you've heard about something called remineralizing toothpaste, but you don't quite know what it is or what it does. That's okay – simply read on to find out about demineralization, remineralization and how using remineralizing toothpaste can help your overall oral health.

Demineralization and Remineralization Explained 

Okay, so demineralization and remineralization are both natural processes. As time goes by, your tooth enamel loses important minerals, particularly calcium. Your tooth enamel is mostly made from a substance known as calcium phosphate, and your teeth lose some and gain some each day.

How does that happen?

Well, the bacteria in your mouth produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel minerals, and so does the food you eat. That's the natural demineralization process. The good news is that your saliva naturally contains small amounts of calcium and other vital minerals, and it helps replace what gets lost.

The problem is that modern diets have interrupted this process. If you consume lots of sugary foods or simply choose to neglect your oral health, your teeth demineralize faster than they can be remineralized. If you suffer from a calcium deficiency or osteoporosis, calcium may be taken from your tooth enamel for use elsewhere in the body.

How Does Remineralizing Toothpaste Help?

Most types of toothpaste help the remineralization process in some way, but you can also find special remineralizing toothpastes that naturally do the job much better.

Here are just a few benefits you'll enjoy from using it:

1. Reduces the Risk of Cavities: When teeth gain minerals faster than they lose them, they prove very resilient against decay and stay healthy. When you floss and brush, you'll mostly be getting rid of plaque, tartar and food debris instead of actually helping your teeth remineralize, so it makes sense to add remineralizing toothpaste into the mix.
2. Keeps Teeth Looking Good: As demineralization starts to weaken tooth enamel, your teeth can become discoloured. You might assume this means dark black or brown spots, but you'll actually tend to see white ones – these are often the first visible sign of tooth erosion.
3. Reduce Oral Sensitivity: When your teeth lose minerals, they become more porous and therefore more sensitive to hot and cold. If you want to drink a cup of coffee or eat a bowl of ice cream without wincing, better try remineralizing toothpaste.