Recently, many patients have come in to our Bloomingdale dental office asking about the issue of dental erosion. Patients want to know what, exactly dental erosion is, and what can be done to prevent and treat it. Once you understand what dental erosion is, you’ll be better able to take control of your dental health and keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Dental erosion refers to a condition in which the dental enamel is weakened by consistent and prolonged exposure to acidic substances. A certain amount of demineralization of the dental enamel is normal—as we eat and drink throughout the day, acid weakens dental enamel and softens teeth. Throughout the day, however, saliva remineralizes enamel, returning it to its strong state. Dental erosion occurs when either saliva does not effectively remineralize enamel, or when the teeth are exposed to so much acidic material that the teeth remain softened.

Patients suffering from dental erosion may be more prone to cavities and dental trauma. Additionally, patients with dental erosion often experience dental sensitivity.

So how can patients minimize the risk of dental erosion? The first thing to do is take note of what materials may lead to dental sensitivity. Common acidic substances such as fruits, fruit juices, and carbonated drinks may cause acid erosion. Now, obviously you don’t want to cut fruits and fruit juices out of your diet completely, so how do you keep your teeth healthy? Here are some tips from our Bloomingdale dentists:

• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic substance
• Drink acidic drinks through a straw, so as to avoid saturating your front teeth with acidic liquids
• Brush at least twice a day, but try not to brush directly after consuming acidic substances as your teeth may be in a weakened state

Working with your dentist you can avoid the uncomfortable and detrimental consequences of acid erosion. As always, feel free to give our Bloomingdale dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment!

Our Bloomingdale cosmetic dentists are committed to helping patients find cosmetic solutions that fit their lifestyles and personalities. We’ve found that many patients are concerned that their final cosmetically enhanced won’t look natural, or fit them, specifically. With porcelain veneers you don’t have to worry about ending up with a smile that doesn’t look like it belongs to you. Porcelain veneers have a variety of advantages—they’re incredibly versatile, easily shaped, and can be custom shaded.

Dental veneers are used to correct a number of common cosmetic problems. If you’re concerned about any of these issues, veneers may be the answer for you:

Dull, dark teeth

Disproportionate teeth

Short teeth

Crooked teeth

Chipped or damaged enamel

As you can see dental veneers can be used to suit one or multiple cosmetic problems at the same time. You dentist will be able to tailor your veneers to suit your needs.

Dental veneers are also made of porcelain, which means that they can easily be molded and shaped to complement your smile. If you’re looking to change the shape or length of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist can craft your veneers to blend seamlessly with your other teeth and enhance your overall smile.

Another benefit of porcelain veneers is that they can be shaded and colored to blend with your other teeth. Some patients worry that veneers will look fake or dull, however porcelain veneers are multi-dimensional—they reflect and absorb light similarly to natural enamel. Consequently, they look both natural and radiant. Because they can be custom shaded, your veneers will complete your smile, not compete with your natural teeth.

Dental veneers are an exceptional cosmetic option because they can be tailored to fit each individual patient. You can change the shape, size, shade, and straightness of your teeth with one easy solution. Give our Bloomingdale veneers dental office a call if you have questions or you’d like more information!