How to Restore Tooth Enamel

Medically reviewed by Joseph Krajekian, DMD

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References Approved

Studies show that tooth enamel can repair itself after it wears down.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} However, certain foods, oral hygiene habits, and medical conditions can wear away your enamel faster than it can repair itself. Fortunately, it's possible to restore your enamel with a few simple changes. Research suggests that you may be able to repair your enamel by using fluoride treatments, caring for your teeth, and avoiding harmful foods.^{[2]
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Research source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Repairing Enamel

1
Learn the causes of tooth enamel erosion. There are many different causes of tooth enamel erosion including poor diet choices and some medical conditions. Learning the causes can help you prevent further decay.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Acidic drinks, including citrus juices and sodas can contribute to enamel erosion.^{[4]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Diets high in starches and sugars can also lead to enamel erosion.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Medical conditions like acid reflux disease (GERD), dry mouth, inherited genetic conditions, low salivary flow and gastrointestinal problems may cause your teeth to erode.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Medications, including aspirin and antihistamines, can contribute to enamel erosion.^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Mechanical factors such as wear and tear, grinding, friction, brushing too hard, brushing when tooth enamel is softened.^{[8]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Poor oral hygiene can cause enamel erosion.^{[9]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Identify the signs of tooth enamel erosion.
- Your teeth are yellowing. This is a result of the dentin showing through from behind worn tooth enamel.
- Excessive sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods and drinks.^{[10]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Chips and cracks in your teeth.^{[11]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Pits or indentations on the surface of your teeth.^{[12]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Visible staining on the surface of your teeth.^{[13]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
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3
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride can make teeth more resistant to acid, and may even help reverse early decay. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste may help restore enamel or prevent further loss of it.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- You can get fluoride toothpaste at most pharmacies or grocery stores.
- Ask your dentist about using fluoride. Too much fluoride can sometimes lead to more problems, such as enamel fluorosis, especially for children.
- Your dentist can also prescribe stronger fluoride toothpastes than what you would get over the counter.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
4
Gargle with a fluoride mouthwash. If you find fluoride toothpaste too harsh, consider gargling with a fluoride mouthwash. This can help restore enamel or prevent further enamel loss.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- You can get fluoride mouthwashes at most pharmacies and some grocery stores.
- Your dentist may be able to prescribe a stronger fluoride mouthwash if an over the counter version doesn't work sufficiently.^{[17]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
5
Ask your dentist for a fluoride treatment. The most effective application of fluoride can be done by your dentist, either in the form of a varnish that is painted onto your teeth or a fluoride tray.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Your dentist may also prescribe you a fluoride gel you can use at home. It can help to protect your teeth from losing more enamel, prevent cavities, and can promote general oral health.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Fluoride treatment can help to strengthen your enamel, furthering the life of your fillings and restorations.^{[20]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
6
Remineralize your teeth naturally. Add regular remineralizing treatments to your oral hygiene routine. This may help restore enamel and reverse decay.^{[21]
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Research source}
- Eating healthy fats, including cultured butter and coconut oil may help remineralize your teeth and promote enamel restoration.^{[22]
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  Research source} Bone broth may be another good option.^{[23]
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  Research source}
- Taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements may help restore enamel.^{[24]
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  Research source}
- Adding a ½ cup of coconut oil to your daily diet may help restore enamel.^{[25]
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7
Consult a dentist about restoration options. If home remedies aren't helping to restore your enamel, consult your dentist about other options. Her treatment suggestions will depend on the level of erosion and presence of cavities, and can include dental crowns, fillings, or veneers.^{[26]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
8
Place crowns over extensive tooth decay and enamel loss. Dental crowns can cap the teeth and restore them to their original shape. The crowns are custom-fitted to cover your original tooth and may help prevent further decay and enamel loss.^{[27]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Your dentist will drill away decayed tooth and enamel and place the crown over the area.^{[28]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Crowns come in gold, porcelain, or resin.^{[29]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
9
Glue veneers to your teeth. Dental veneers, also called onlays and inlays, are glued to the front of your teeth. Dental veneers cover eroded, cracked, broken or chipped teeth and help prevent further erosion.^{[30]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
10
Restore eroded areas with fillings. Dental fillings can repair cavities, which contribute to enamel erosion. This can help prevent further enamel decay and promote the overall well-being of your teeth.^{[31]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Fillings are made of tooth-colored, gold or silver amalgam or composite material designed to smooth out surfaces and decrease tooth sensitivity.^{[32]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
11
Consider dental sealants. A dental sealant coats the deep groves on molar and premolars and can protect them from decay. Have your dentist or hygienist apply a sealant to your molars for up to 10 years of protection from acid and other types of wear and tear to your teeth.^{[33]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
12
Complete the restoration procedures. You may have to return to the dentist several times to complete enamel restoration. Follow your dentist's instructions as to treatment, upkeep and suggestions for your dental hygiene.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Maintaining Good Oral Health

1
Brush and floss every day, including after meals. Brushing and flossing every day and after meals can maintain the health of your teeth, restorations, and gums. A clean environment may help you avoid further enamel erosion as well as unsightly stains.^{[34]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Make sure to brush and floss after meals if you can. If you have food stuck in your teeth, it promotes an environment that is rife for further damage to your enamel. If you don't have a toothbrush, chewing a piece of gum can help.^{[35]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Dental Association
  World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health
  Go to source}
- Avoid brushing your teeth within 30 minutes of eating any acidic food or drink, as acid can weaken enamel and brushing too soon can then damage the enamel.^{[36]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}^{[37]
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  Research source}
2
Control your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages. Sugary and acidic foods and beverages may contribute to enamel erosion, and controlling your intake of them can lead to better oral health. Brushing your teeth after consuming these foods may help prevent enamel erosion.^{[38]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and legumes can help with your overall well-being, including oral health.^{[39]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Even some healthy foods are acidic, including citrus fruits. Continue eating these, but limit how much you consume and consider brushing your teeth when you're done.
- Examples of sugary and acidic foods and beverages to avoid are soft drinks, sweets, candies, and wine.
3
Avoid mouthwashes and toothpastes that contain alcohol. Mouthwashes and toothpastes that contain alcohol can decrease the durability of enamel or even stain it. Use non-alcohol colored toothpaste or mouthwashes to avoid these problems.^{[40]
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- You can find toothpastes and mouthwashes without alcohol at most grocery and drug stores or online retailers.
4
Drink tap water over bottled water. Most tap water in the United States is treated with fluoride to help decrease tooth decay and strengthen enamel. Unless bottled water specifically states that it contains fluoride, the processes of distilling, filtering, and reverse osmosis remove any naturally occurring fluoride from the water. In fact increased consumption of bottled water may be connected to a resurgence of cavities in children.^{[41]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Grabbing bottled water instead of drinking from the tap may contribute to any loss of tooth enamel you may experience.
- In addition, many bottled waters are actually acidic, which can be harmful to your teeth as well.
- You can contact the manufacturer of your preferred bottled water to find out if their product contains fluoride.^{[42]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
5
Don't grind your teeth. If you have a bad habit of clenching and grinding your teeth, you may damage your enamel and teeth. If you're a tooth-grinder, ask your dentist about using a mouth guard.^{[43]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Grinding wears restorations and can cause sensitivity and damage including small chips and cracks.^{[44]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Nail biting, opening bottles or holding objects with your teeth are also bad habits. Try and avoid these habits so that you don't damage your teeth or fillings.
6
Get regular checkups and teeth cleaning at your dentist's office. Regular checkups and cleanings are an integral part of maintaining oral health. See your dentist at least twice a year, or more often if you're having any issues with your teeth or enamel decay.^{[45]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
7
Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which can help prevent tooth decay. Xylitol has been shown to reduce bacterial activity and tooth decay, so consider a gum with Xylitol in it.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you rebuild tooth enamel?

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu's Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Tu Anh Vu, DMD

Board Certified Dentist

Expert Answer

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You really can't rebuild enamel. Once enamel is gone, it's really gone. So as an adult, enamel has almost the same structure as bone. Once you lose bone, you can't really regrow it. Sometimes it's okay to just leave it alone because your enamel is thin so there isn't much you can do about it but if it's causing you sensitivity or pain, you may need either a crown or a dental filling to cover that up.
Question

Can you restore tooth enamel?

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu's Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Tu Anh Vu, DMD

Board Certified Dentist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Unfortunately, as an adult, tooth enamel can't really be restored once it's gone. It's kind of like losing a layer of bone or something; it just isn't the kind of thing that grows back. If your teeth are starting to get sensitive and you've lost a fair amount of enamel, it may be time to talk to your dentist about getting restorative work done. So long as your teeth aren't causing you pain or bothering you, it's alright to just let your teeth be and maintain your normal dental hygiene routine.