Information You Should Share With Your Cosmetic Dentist

When you schedule a cosmetic dentist appointment, it is important to discuss with your dentist all of the goals and objectives you have for your smile. Every detail should be discussed so that we can create a customized treatment plan that addresses every issue. We can completely transform smiles and complete smile makeovers, but there is no need to correct issues that you don’t have a problem with.  This is why a consultation is so important. 

When you come in for your appointment be prepared to discuss the following so that we can create recommendations based on your goals and needs:

Are you experiencing any pain?  If your teeth, gums, or jaw are hurting we will want to know this first.  Any health issues that you have should be addressed before proceeding with any cosmetic work.  This way we are not covering up any problems but helping your entire mouth to stay in optimal health. 

What is your availability? We need to know if you have any time constraints that may make it difficult to schedule cosmetic dentist appointments or take time off for recovery.  If, for example, you have a demanding job, we will want to schedule treatments that you can recover from over the weekend.  This is possible with most dental work, but we still need to know what your availability looks like along with any deadlines that you are trying to meet.

What don’t you like about your teeth?  Be as specific as possible.  For example, instead of saying you don’t like your smile, come with a list of the things you don’t like.  This may include the color of your teeth, one that’s crooked, etc.  By sharing your list, we can be sure to address everything on it. 

Do you like the size of your teeth?  Many people suffer from teeth that are too small and look almost childish.  If this is you, let us know because we can correct them.  Alternatively, if you have one or two teeth that are larger than the others, we can help with this as well.

How white do you want your teeth to get?  Regardless of what cosmetic dentistry procedure you are getting, there is typically an element that requires us to know how white you like your teeth. We can show you examples so that you can identify what shade of white you are comfortable with and plan accordingly. 

Do you want to replace anything?  If you have had any fillings, crowns, veneers or bonding procedures done in the past, you may want to replace something due to wear or its appearance.  If so, let us know so that we can plan accordingly. 

How do you feel about your gums?  If you think your smile looks gummy or that your gums have receded in recent history, let us know about it.  There are several solutions for addressing the appearance and health of your gums. 

As a cosmetic dentist, we can create the smile you have always wanted but it starts by understanding what you want.  Schedule your consultation so that we can plan together. 

The Truth About Acid Reflux and Your Teeth From our Dental Office

In our dental office, we help patients that suffer from acid reflux disease and are dealing with tooth erosion as a result.  Reflux-induced erosion is a common problem that can impact both children and adults.  As acid travels up through the esophagus, it enters the mouth and can start to attack the teeth.  The acid will start to wear away the teeth one layer at a time until they become thin and brittle. 

According to a report by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project between twenty and thirty percent of U.S. adults, experience the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD on a weekly basis.  A full sixty percent of the population has these symptoms at least yearly.  This manifests as a burning sensation in the chest and throat as acid works its way backwards and up the esophagus. This proves problematic for many people, making it difficult to eat and sleep along with interfering with their concentration at work. Acid reflux also creates health problems in the stomach, esophagus and throat in addition to impacting the teeth. 

In our dental office, we want to know if our patients have acid reflux so that we can help to prevent erosion in addition to treating it.  By keeping teeth healthy and clean, they will remain stronger.  For example, people that have cavities or gum disease will naturally be more susceptible to getting cavities and suffering other dental health issues. While cleaning teeth, we can remove bacteria from the teeth and gum lines so that they can remain healthy and cavity free.  We can also provide a fluoride treatment for teeth that need strengthening and are at risk for erosion. These preventative steps aid in keeping the mouth healthy.

If the erosion does occur, it will first attack the enamel and cause it to wear away.  As it does, the dentin underneath will become exposed which leads to sensitive teeth.  When food touches the dentin it is simultaneously touching the nerve endings inside of it.  This can lead to the pain signal being transferred to the brain, leading to an increase in sensitivity that many patients complain of.  In this early stage, we can help by completing a bonding procedure to seal the dentin.  This works well in the beginning stages but as erosion becomes more advanced; the teeth will become weak, thin and brittle.  At this point, the best way to protect the teeth is to place a crown around them.  A crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth and prevents anything from touching it.  This procedure allows us to save a tooth that may have otherwise been pulled due to erosion. 

In our dental office, we also recommend that patients take medication to control their acid reflux.  By seeing your doctor, you can get a prescription that will help you to feel better and to protect your teeth.  If an attack does occur, you should avoid brushing your teeth for an hour, but be sure to rinse your mouth in order to neutralize some of the acid.