SURFACE DAMAGE TO YOUR SMILE, WHAT FOODS CAUSE IT?

Your smile is one of the most important assets you have.  When healthy, it can make you look confident and attractive. When not cared for properly, it can become dull, worn, and aged.  Lets take a tour of the damaging foods we eat.  These will eventually, if consumed heavily, take a toll on what once may have been your most memorable attribute.

Lets begin by discussing the elements in our dental diet that cause surface damage to the enamel of our teeth.  These may include, but are not limited to:

• crusty breads
• hard candies
• soda
• sticky foods
• sports drinks

These goodies will break down enamel!

One of the most offensive of those listed above is soda. The elevated sugar content and acidity levels soften and dissolve enamel, the outer white layer of your teeth.  This, in turn, will create sensitivity in the teeth and along the gum line.  Failure to properly brush your teeth, due to the existing discomfort, further damages the underlying gums and remaining enamel, causing dental caries and gum disease.  A detrimental effect on your smile would, at that point, be inevitable.

Preventive measures can be taken to help diminish the onset and progression of enamel damage.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Regular professional examinations and cleanings performed by our dentist and hygienist every 3-6 months
• Minimizing the intake of foods and liquids highly enriched with sugar and acids
• Utilize modern bonding techniques to restore minor to moderate damage to the enamel…including changes to its structural integrity and color
• Utilize more  cosmetic techniques, such as porcelain veneers and crowns, to restore more advanced damage such as fractures, wear, and significant changes in enamel color
• Apply flouride topically in the form of toothpastes, gels, and rinses to help minimize the risk of decay and sensitivity caused by high levels of sugar and acids in your diet

Remember that your smile is capable of leaving a wonderul, or not so great, first impression.  Take pride in it and commit to making sure its one of your most beautiful assets.

We are here to assist you in enjoying the "Smile You'd Be Proud To Wear...ANYWHERE!"