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As we age, our teeth begin to demineralize causing loss of tooth enamel and painful tooth sensitivity. While acidic foods and drinks play a major role in the loss of enamel, there are several other causes that are not as commonly known.

Causes of Tooth Demineralization

Some of the everyday routines people have can contribute to demineralization. For instance, teeth brushing can be a major cause. How? First, using a medium or hard bristle tooth brush to brush your teeth can begin to dissolve tooth enamel. You should always use a soft bristle tooth brush. Also, brushing too hard or too often can be a factor.

Here are some other factors that dissolve tooth enamel:

• age
• tooth decay (cavities)
• cracks in teeth
• whitening pastes and other whitening products
• acidic mouthwashes
• sticky plaque on teeth
• gum disease (gingivitis)

All of these or some of these could be the contributing factors of tooth demineralization. One way you can tell if your teeth are beginning to demineralize is to look at the two front teeth. Are they starting to look see through? Can you see cracks in them? Do you have to use sensitive toothpaste to kill the pain? Talk to your dentists if you don't know for sure.

What Needs to Be Done?

To start your teeth on the road to recovery, you'll need to remineralize your teeth. When you remineralize your teeth, you are putting back the minerals that have been lost over time.

Some things you'll need to do:

• eat foods rich in minerals (celery, broccoli, beans, oats, eggs, cheese, cream, yogurt, chicken, beef, and other meats)
• drink water (you need to keep your mouth moist)
• brush at least twice a day
• floss regularly
• chew sugar-free gum (gum will help pull the bits of food out from between your teeth and gums when you can't brush and floss and will help keep your mouth moist)
• chew foods rich in minerals slowly to help them react with your saliva
• eat foods rich in fiber

Foods to Eat Sparingly

Foods high in acid need to be eaten sparingly. Eating and drinking high acidic foods will add to the demineralization process which needs to be avoided. Most people notice when they are eating these foods, their teeth will be more sensitive than on days they do not eat them.

Foods high in acid:

• vinegar, pickles, salad dressings
• blackberries, cranberries, and other berries
• oranges, lemons, key limes, grapefruits
• star fruits
• tomatoes
• pineapples
• wine and other fruit juices

Added Help for Tooth Enamel

For those who need a little extra help to begin the mineralization process, new toothpastes have been formulated containing phosphorous ions and calcium. Expect these toothpastes to be a bit gritty, but people who have used these products say, 'After you get past the gritty part, you do begin to see a difference!'

It is always best to see your dentists twice a year. He will remove any plaque and tarter build-up that may lead to gum disease, demineralization, and other common dental problems.