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It seems like the ads are everywhere these days—repair your enamel and reverse tooth decay with a tube of toothpaste! Are these claims too good to be true? Let’s dive into the science of tooth decay—how decay develops and how (and if!) it can be reversed.

Teeth can stand up to the powerful pressures of biting and chewing because over 95% of our enamel is made up of minerals. Calcium and phosphate ions in our teeth bond to form a crystal structure called hydroxyapatite. Because of the strength of this crystalline design, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our bodies, even stronger than our bones. 

But bones, like most other parts of our bodies, are living tissue, which means that they can create new cells to replace old or damaged cells. Tooth enamel can’t regenerate new cells to repair itself. This means that when a cavity has made a hole in the tooth, the enamel can’t grow back. And, while enamel structure is very strong, it’s also vulnerable to damage—specifically, damage from acids. 

Our teeth are exposed to acids throughout the day, whether they are acids created by plaque bacteria or the acidic foods and drinks we consume. Acids dissolve mineral bonds, stripping calcium and phosphate minerals from the enamel and leaving weak spots in the tooth surface. This process is called demineralization. Demineralization is the first stage of tooth decay.

The good news? Our bodies are designed with a built-in defense mechanism to prevent demineralization from causing lasting damage. All through the day, saliva helps wash away acids in the mouth and bathes our teeth with new calcium and phosphate ions. These ions bond with the calcium and phosphate in our enamel, restoring enamel strength. This protective repair process is called remineralization.

Now for the bad news. In the tug of war between demineralization and remineralization, saliva can only do so much. If your diet is heavy with acids, if you don’t brush away acid-producing plaque bacteria regularly, if you eat a lot of the sugars and starches which feed plaque bacteria, the remineralizing effects of saliva can’t keep up with the demineralizing effects of acids.

The first visible sign of demineralization is often a white spot on the tooth where minerals have been stripped from enamel. Studies have shown that enamel-strengthening toothpaste can be effective in this very first stage of tooth decay. Toothpastes which advertise enamel repair generally contain one or more of these ingredients:

• Calcium Phosphate
• Hydroxyapatite
• Fluoride 

Toothpastes with calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite contain calcium and phosphate minerals, the building blocks of tooth enamel. Studies have suggested that these minerals can replace the calcium and phosphate ions stripped from enamel. These toothpastes may or may not contain fluoride, which is something you should discuss with your dentist before deciding on a specific toothpaste.

Fluoride toothpastes remineralize enamel—and more! Fluoride ions are attracted to the tooth’s surface, and, when fluoride ions join with the calcium and phosphate ions there, they form fluorapatite. Fluorapatite crystals are larger, stronger, and more resistant to acids than hydroxyapatite crystals. And, once bonded with tooth enamel, fluoride attracts the calcium and phosphate ions in saliva to remineralize the teeth more quickly. 

Why consider enamel-repair toothpaste? 

Once enamel is gone, it’s gone for good. If excess demineralization isn’t treated, a weak spot on the tooth surface will continue to erode, growing bigger and deeper until it becomes a hole in the enamel. This is a cavity, and your dentist will need to treat and repair your tooth to prevent the cavity from growing and potentially exposing the tooth’s pulp to bacteria and infection. 

Talk to Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok at our Kingston, ON office about which toothpastes can help restore a healthy balance between the ongoing cycles of demineralization and remineralization. While tooth-repair toothpaste can’t fix cavities, these products can often strengthen demineralized enamel and reverse this earliest stage of tooth decay.

Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok and our team know that as a parent, you want your child to be as healthy as possible. By now, you probably know that your son or daughter’s oral health plays a huge role in overall health.

When there are so many toothpaste ads and different styles of brush to choose from, it can be difficult to know which will serve your child the best. We recommend you break down the decision process to make it simpler.

First, your child’s age and stage of development are vital to consider. Until about the age or 12, your youngster may not be prepared to brush or floss adequately alone, due to dexterity issues. If that’s the case, it can be easier to use a battery-powered toothbrush to improve the quality of brushing.

Next is to select the right size of toothbrush head to fit your child’s mouth. As a general rule, the head of the toothbrush should be a little larger than the upper portion of the child’s thumb.

Flossers are great for children and easy to use. They have handles and a horseshoe shape on one end with floss in between. Your child can choose a color he or she likes as well as the handle size, shape, etc.

Not only are there many brands of toothpaste to choose from, there are also many different ingredients that offer varying benefits. Kids are at high risk for developing cavities so you want to make sure the following ingredients are in your child’s toothpaste if you wish to avoid problems later on.

Sodium fluoride is the standard ingredient for cavity prevention, while stannous fluoride is anti-bacterial and anti-cavity. Anti-sensitivity toothpastes often contain potassium nitrate, and triclosan can be found in one particular brand for anti-bacterial action.

Fluoride should not be ingested, so if your child can’t spit yet, use a toothpaste that contains xylitol. This is a natural sweetener and should be the first ingredient listed on the tube.

Now comes the fun part: choosing a flavor! Your little one may sample different flavors and select the one he or she likes the best. A youngster is more likely to adopt good brushing habits if the flavor is appealing.

Don’t hesitate to speak with Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok if you need to make an appointment at our Kingston, ON office, or if you have any questions about toothpastes or toothbrushes.

The Canadian Dental Association encourages you to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to prevent dental problems such as tooth decay, bad breath, sensitive teeth, and gingivitis.

Beyond these health effects, frequent brushing of your teeth with a high-quality toothpaste can keep your teeth white. If you desire a whiter smile without in-office bleaching at our Kingston, ON office, use of a whitening toothpaste is a great option for you.

Why Consider Whitening Toothpaste

Whiter teeth are more attractive and can help you feel confident in your smile. Having a whiter smile and greater self-assurance can send the message that you take care of yourself and are confident in your abilities.

How Whitening Toothpaste Works

Although every toothpaste has whitening properties because they all help to remove food particles from your teeth, the Canadian Dental Association says whitening toothpaste must contain certain chemicals that help remove stains.

Unlike bleaching products, which contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, whitening toothpaste only cleans the enamel rather than changing the color of your teeth. To obtain the benefits of whitening toothpaste, you need to use it regularly.

The Effectiveness of Whitening Toothpaste Varies

Due to individual variations in the color of your teeth, certain people are more likely than others to achieve the desired results with whitening. Teeth that are tinted grayish are unlikely to respond well to bleaching, while brown teeth may sometimes respond, and yellowish teeth are most likely to become pearly white in response to bleaching.

If Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok and our staff believe that bleaching is not a viable option for you, proper oral hygiene and the use of a whitening toothpaste are your best bets for keeping your teeth as white as possible. In addition, avoid using tobacco products, and rinse your mouth after drinking coffee.

It was a small fall! A miniscule piece of popcorn! A minor foul on the basketball court! But now there’s a chip in your otherwise perfect smile. Is a chipped tooth worth calling Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok?

Any time your tooth is injured is time to call our Kingston, ON office. Even a small chip can affect your tooth structure and should be evaluated. We will also want to check your tooth and gums to make sure there is no underlying injury that could be more serious, and to treat your tooth as soon as possible so that no further damage occurs.

A very small chip might need nothing more than smoothing and polishing to remove sharp edges. A small chip in your enamel can be repaired with dental bonding, where a composite like those used to fill cavities will be shaped to cover and fill the chip. This composite will be matched to your tooth color for a seamless repair. A porcelain veneer is also an option for you. These procedures will restore the look of your tooth and protect it as well, because even a small chip can lead to tooth sensitivity or further damage in the future.

A larger chip, such as a fractured cusp, might require a crown. But a large chip might also mean that the inside of the tooth has been compromised. If the dentin or pulp are affected, pain, infection, and even tooth loss could result. A root canal might be necessary to preserve the tooth, so prompt treatment is necessary.

Regardless of the size of the chip, call our Kingston, ON office as soon as possible. We can give you tips for pain management, if needed, until you see us. If you can save the chip, bring it with you when you visit in case there is the possibility of bonding it to the injured tooth.  But even without that missing piece, there are ways to restore the look of your original tooth. Remember, repairing a chipped tooth is not just cosmetic. We want to keep your smile healthy, as well as beautiful!