Our patient Larry came into our office complaining of increased dental sensitivity and a loss of vibrancy or luminosity in his enamel. Larry knew that his teeth were aging, but he was still taking great care of his smile, so he didn’t understand what could account for these changes in his teeth. Our Sullivan dentists determined, after a thorough exam, that Larry’s dental changes were due to the cumulative effects of acid erosion. Larry’s dental enamel had finally thinned to such an extent that his teeth were noticeably sensitive and worn down.

Larry was happy to know that there was a reasonable explanation for his condition, but he was shocked! He had never heard of acid erosion before, he wondered what he could do to combat this condition. We informed Larry that there were a number of steps that he could take to minimize acid erosion once he understood how dental erosion progressed.

Acidic substances, once exposed to teeth, demineralize dental enamel, leaving it weakened and prone to infection. Acidic foods, like fruits, and beverages such as fruit juices, wine, and soft drinks, can all slowly thin enamel.

Saliva naturally remineralizes dental enamel, so one way to minimize acid erosion is to quickly clear acidic substances off of teeth and increase saliva production. When consuming acidic drinks, you can use a straw to bypass many of your teeth and reduce acid exposure. And after you eat or drink an acidic substance, take the time to rinse your mouth with water, which will help neutralize the acid and increase saliva production.

Working with your dentist, it is possible to maintain strong teeth and avoid serious, long-term complications of acid erosion. Larry was amazed at how quickly he was able to minimize dental sensitivity and restore his smile once he began to treat his acid erosion. Feel free to give our Sullivan dental office a call for more information!

Many patients report that when they have a cavity or a dental infection, the first sign of a problem was a small bit of discoloration on the infected tooth. Patients may notice a black or brown spot on otherwise white teeth as a cavity begins to develop. Often, infected teeth will not become painful or sore until the infection has progressed, so for many people dental discoloration is the only sign of a problem for many months.

Unfortunately, patients who avoid regular professional dental cleanings may not realize they have an infection until it has progressed. Consequently, patients may end up with dull, discolored looking teeth even after their infection is treated.

The good news is that our Sullivan cosmetic dentists can help you whiten your teeth and regain your brilliant smile with modern cosmetic dentistry. First of all, modern dentistry allows dentists to use white, natural-looking composite fillings to seal treated teeth. This means that your fillings can look like a natural part of your tooth, rather than an obviously dark and metallic dental restoration.

If, after your infection is treated, you find that your teeth still appear discolored and darker than you’d like, you may benefit from professional teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening treatments are actually bleaching treatments—they utilize carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to bleach dental enamel beyond their natural state of whiteness.  These professional whitening treatments are incredibly effective, and many patients can whiten their smiles by several shades.

If your teeth are resistant to teeth whitening treatments, or severely damaged, you may benefit from cosmetic veneers. Dental veneers are placed over existing dental enamel, visually resurfacing the appearance of your smile.

No matter what your cosmetic concern, the first thing to do is obtain dental health by treating any cavities or infections you may currently have. Once your smile is healthy, our Sullivan cosmetic dental office will walk you through your cosmetic options!