Many mouthwash and toothpaste products make big claims about helping to restore and rebuild your tooth enamel, but some customers are skeptical.
"It sounds like a gimmick to me," dentist patient Carol Valaes said.
Consumer Wise took it to an expert to find out.
Dentist Dr. Caitilin Martini says tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body and using products, unfortunately, won't rebuild it.
"Once it's gone, it's gone," Dr. Martini said. "We can't put it back."
Enamel strengthening products
But wait! Don't clinch your teeth in frustration just yet. She says it's not all hype. The products can help strengthen the enamel you have.
"You're not adding new enamel, but you could restore the existing enamel and change the quality of it making it harder and denser," Dr. Martini said.
So, what breaks down enamel in the first place? The big culprits: things you eat and drink that are acidic — especially sodas, beer, wine, coffee, sugars, and even fruits — all play a part in breaking down your enamel.
That doesn’t mean you should stop eating or drinking acidic foods, but you can be proactive in helping to maintain the tooth enamel you have.
Tips to protect tooth enamel
Certain mouthwashes and toothpastes can help because they contain fluoride or phosphate that work to re-mineralize your existing or damaged enamel.
"The products change the pH in the mouth allowing for calcium and fluoride ions to be reabsorbed into the tooth," Dr. Martini said.
Chewing sugar-free gum, especially with xylitol, or swishing your mouth with water after you eat can also help prevent erosion of your teeth.
Other enamel eroding problems
Grinding your teeth is another culprit that causes enamel to wear away.
"I wore my teeth out and the enamel was virtually gone," dentist patient Michelle Beaupre said.
Now, she wears a night guard, which helps to protect against further enamel loss.
If you experience tooth sensitivity or discoloration, it could be a sign of erosion and you should ask your dentist which products might help you.
"They actually work," Martini said. "We have patients on a variety of different rinses that have several different substances in them, and depending on an individual patient's needs, we'll recommend different rinses."
Brushing too hard and using whitening tooth pastes that are too gritty or abrasive can also cause enamel loss. So be careful with those and be sure to use a soft-bristled tooth brush.
Keeping your tooth enamel healthy is most effective through prevention. So whether it's products, chewing sugar free gum, wearing a night-guard, or swishing water around in your mouth, be sure to follow some of the precautions to help save your enamel and stop further damage.