Acidic food, substances, and other factors encountered in everyday life cause the gradual loss of vital minerals from the teeth. Losing these essential minerals lead to the teeth eroding and slowly dissolving over time, leaving unsightly and painful cavities. Remineralizing toothpaste is toothpaste with ingredients that allow it to assist in restoring minerals directly to the teeth.
Bacterial acids, consumption of acidic food, tooth bleaching, brushing teeth, and the act of chewing contribute to tooth demineralization. The body has its own self-repair mechanism to counteract this through saliva, which contains calcium and phosphorus ions that rebuild tooth structure — a process called natural remineralization. This built-in mechanism may not be sufficient in the age of concentrated sugar and processed food, thus requiring enhancement of the remineralization.
Remineralizing toothpaste is typically recommended for its restorative qualities for the teeth. It contains a synthetic mineral called NovaMin®, which contains calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and silica. The sodium allows the minerals to crystallize on the tooth surface, where they can then form a layer similar in both structure and composition to natural tooth enamel. These minerals are released from the toothpaste upon making contact with moisture. The new mineral layer then acts to both repair and protect the existing tooth enamel.
Generally, remineralizing toothpaste will contain a higher alkaline value in order to counteract the acids eroding the teeth. It may also contain other ingredients found in ordinary toothpaste. Among these is the abrasive agent, usually silica compounds, that allows for abrasive action on plaque and food on the teeth, as well as polishing the tooth surface. Some others are the antiseptic agent that acts to inhibit the growth of plaque, the sweetening agent that makes the toothpaste palatable to the taste, the flavoring agent that adds flavor to the toothpaste, fluoride that strengthens the teeth, the humectant that keeps the toothpaste moist, and the binding agent that holds these ingredients together.
Remineralizing toothpaste has been found to have a positive effect on individuals who suffering from sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth can occur when erosion of tooth enamel leads to the exposure of the tubules within the teeth that lead to the nerves. When these tubules are exposed, substances or even air touching the tubules can send pain signals to the nerve beneath the tooth. Remineralizing toothpaste can rebuild a layer over these tubules and protect them from contact with food, drinks, or air.