Preston Cosmetic Dentistry News
Cosmetic Dentistry News Articles
Avoid Tooth Erosion from Acid Reflux!
Maybe the discomfort you're feeling after too much fun at a football match simply is indigestion. But if you regularly experience spells of acid reflux disease, you may need to take action to protect your teeth. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious complications with tooth erosion.
Normally when you swallow, the food and drink travels from your mouth, down your esophagus and into your stomach, where the stomach acids begin digestion. A muscle connecting your esophagus and stomach opens and closes to allow food into your stomach and keep stomach acid out of your esophagus.
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when this muscle weakens and allows the stomach contents to flow back up into your esophagus. You may feel a burning pain in your chest, neck, and throat (heartburn), a sensation of food coming back into your mouth, and a lingering acidic or bitter taste.
Your teeth are protected by a thin layer of hard tissue called enamel. Usually your saliva can help maintain the natural pH balance (levels of acid or alkaline) in your mouth, wash away food particles, and rebuild the minerals in your teeth. But sometimes, highly acidic foods, drinks, and drugs can overwhelm saliva's beneficial effects and soften the tooth enamel.
Over time, these highly acidic substances, as well as the stomach liquid from acid reflux, can erode the enamel. When the enamel wears away, the sensitive inner dentin layer of the tooth is exposed, and this can lead to additional, serious complications with the health of your teeth and mouth.
Symptoms of tooth erosion include:
- Pain or irritation in your mouth
- Sensitivity to certain foods and drinks, especially hot, cold, or sweet
- Sharp tooth edges
- Darkening teeth
- Thinning or shortened teeth
Your cosmetic dentist in Preston recommends the following treatments;
To prevent acid reflux disease or help treat its symptoms, follow these guidelines:
- Avoid fried or fatty foods, peppermint and spearmint, chocolate, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, citrus fruits and juices, pickles, yogurt, vinegar, garlic, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. If any of these are favorite foods, limit them to occasional, small indulgences.
- Enjoy smaller, more frequent meals rather than eating large quantities at once.
- Drink plenty of water, and chew sugarless gum to help stimulate saliva.
- Do not smoke.
If tooth erosion is apparent, we may need to treat the situation by restoring your teeth or replacing worn fillings. We may also discourage the use of harsh tooth whiteners if tooth erosion is escalating. If your tooth enamel is severely worn away, your cosmetic dentist may need to recommend crowns or veneers to restore your bite and protect the health of your teeth.
From Tedious to Astounding: Enhance Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Some people only visit the dentist for checkups or toothaches. However, dentistry is no longer reserved for preventive care and routine maintenance. Today's cosmetic dentists are artists, as well as doctors. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile. Many doctors practice functional aesthetics, which means they'll create a smile that's beautiful and functional through a combination of procedures uniquely designed to suit your needs.
Even patients who are meticulous about their dental care routines can have a less than spectacular smile. Drinking coffee, tea, or wine, smoking or chewing tobacco, and simply growing older can take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and stained. Some medications can also cause discoloration. One easy, safe way to restore your smile is through teeth whitening.
Restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures can be combined to create a smile that's perfect for you. For instance, cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth can be made to look fresh and new with bonding or veneers. In fact, your cosmetic dentist can even reshape your front teeth to create the smile you've always wanted.
Crowns can restore function and beauty to instable teeth, and all-porcelain crowns leave no dark lines at the gum, so your smile will maintain an all-white, natural beauty. Bridges or implants can replace missing teeth and restore the underlying structure that makes your face full and youthful. These dental procedures will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but they will also restore full oral function, as well as your self confidence.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to transform it from dull to dazzling, ask us about cosmetic dentistry solutions. We can't wait to make you smile!
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