Your smile is exposed to many, potentially problematic, substances every day. When you, as a dental patient, understand how your smile can become compromised, you are better able to protect your teeth from common causes of damage.
Today our Toluca Lake dentists are discussing one type of damage in particular: enamel erosion due to acidic substances.
A surprisingly large number of popular foods and drinks contain appreciable amounts of acid. When your teeth are exposed to acidic substances, your dental enamel actually becomes softer, and more vulnerable, for about 20 to 30 minutes. It is for this reason that you do not want to brush your teeth for at least one half of an hour after consuming something acidic; brushing can actually inadvertently buff away dental enamel and lead to tooth thinning.
Another thing that you can do to limit the amount of dental damage from acidic foods and drinks is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. When you are properly hydrated, your mouth is able to produce plenty of saliva, and saliva is your body’s natural way of re-mineralizing and strengthening dental enamel. You can also help your teeth by rinsing your mouth with water after you eat or drink.
Pay attention, as well, to how and when you are consuming acidic things. It is better to eat or drink these things in discrete, specific periods of time, rather than sipping or snacking throughout the day. The goal is to limit the amount of time that your teeth are coated in acidic foods and drinks.
As always, our Toluca Lake dentists are here to answer any questions you may have. We can help you build a comprehensive treatment plan that works for you and your specific smile. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call to schedule your personal consultation!
Refresh and Rejuvenate Your Teeth With Fast Dental Whitening In Toluca Lake [4/3/2018]One of the most common aesthetic changes that dental patients notice in their smiles is that their dental enamel has started to look dark, dull, or stained. This is because our teeth, while quite sturdy, are not impenetrable. The foods and drinks that we consume can leave color deposits on the tooth surface over time, and various structural/health issues will also affect dental whiteness and luminosity.
Professional dental whitening treatments can quickly and effectively refresh your smile. Keep reading to learn why so many people in our Toluca Lake cosmetic dental office love professional whitening.
Fast Results
A professional whitening treatment can usually be completed in less than an hour, and many people are able to lighten their teeth by multiple shades after just one session. If you want to achieve more dramatic results, we can repeat whitening treatments over a period of weeks until your smile is as white and luminous as you want.
Affordability
Professional whitening treatment is much more affordable than other treatments that are used to cover dental stains—including dental bonding and porcelain veneers. You can improve the appearance of your smile without having to invest a lot of money into treatment.
Non-Invasive
Whitening gels do not alter the underlying structure of your teeth at all—this is a non-invasive way for you to improve the appearance your smile. Because it is non-invasive, this treatment is very comfortable for the patient. Some people find that their teeth are more sensitive to heat and cold directly following dental whitening, but this side effect dissipates quickly post-treatment.
Our Toluca Lake cosmetic dentists can give you any additional information you need about dental whitening or any other cosmetic dentistry treatments about which you may be interested. Give us a call to get started—schedule your personal consultation to meet with our helpful team!