22 May 2022
8 Things You Should Know About Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems worldwide. Every time you eat, the sugars in the food you consume feed the bacteria that live in your mouth. When these bacteria eat these sugars, they secrete acid that damages your teeth and promotes decay.
Regular brushing and flossing help keep these bacteria at bay, but these habits may not be enough to fully prevent decay. To do this, you will need to better understand the mechanisms behind tooth decay. The following facts will help you get started.
8 Important Things to Know About Tooth Decay
1. Tooth Discolouration May Be the First Sign of Decay
Tooth stains are a common problem and are usually harmless. However, some stains are actually signs of decay. Advanced decay can look like yellow, brown, or black spots on the teeth. Stains that appear in the pits and fissures of your teeth are particularly likely to be decay. You should also be on the lookout for patches of white that were not present before, as these may be early indicators of enamel breakdown.
2. Saliva Is Key
Your saliva is your body’s best defence against tooth decay. Not only does it help to regulate the pH levels in your mouth, but the calcium and phosphate it contains can also help rebuild damaged enamel. You can take advantage of these natural mechanisms by stimulating your salivary glands with sugarless gum.
3. Timing and Dietary Choices Both Contribute
You know that certain foods are more likely to cause tooth decay. However, many people do not realize that food timing and frequency matter just as much as food choices when it comes to preventing decay. The more frequently you eat during the day, the harder it is for your saliva to keep up with the acid the bacteria in your mouth will produce. Similarly, eating before bed without brushing your teeth afterwards allows bacteria to feast on the leftover food particles all night, swiftly accelerating decay.
4. Dental Plaque Buildup Can Cause Bone Loss
Dental plaque that is not cleaned off your teeth can seep into your gums and cause gum disease. If this condition goes untreated, it will eventually develop into periodontitis and spread into your jawbone as well. Your bone will then begin to break down. As more and more of your bone wears away, your teeth may start to wiggle, shift, and even fall out.
5. There May Be Even More Consequences Than You Expected
Tooth decay is usually treated with dental fillings, but this is not the only way to treat this problem. Highly advanced decay might require a dental crown, a root canal, or even an extraction. When these treatments are called for, you may need additional work done to restore your smile. Cosmetic options like bridges can be used to replace a missing tooth. Front teeth veneers can also disguise some of the aesthetic problems created by decay.
6. Children and Teenagers Have the Highest Risk of Cavities
Children’s tooth enamel is very thin compared to that of adults, so decay can break through it more quickly. Teenagers usually have all their permanent teeth in place, but they also tend to consume lots of sugary drinks and snacks that contribute to decay. Both children and teens also tend to have poor oral hygiene compared to adults.
7. Having No Pain Does Not Mean You Have No Decay
Many people think that they do not need to worry about tooth decay unless they are experiencing pain. This is a common misconception. In reality, it’s usually only advanced decay that results in pain. This is because, by that point, the decay may be getting close to the tooth’s nerve. Teeth in this condition cannot always be saved, and when they can, it usually takes a root canal to do so. Visiting your dentist regularly allows them to catch developing decay before it becomes severe, giving you a much better chance of keeping your teeth intact.
8. Untreated Cavities Only Get Worse
While very early decay can sometimes be reversed, cavities are rarely discovered at this early stage. By the time they can be detected, they require treatment. Delaying that treatment only gives the decay a chance to grow and destroy more of your tooth structure. If your dentist identifies a cavity at one of your routine dental visits, it is important to get it filled as soon as possible.
Get Your Tooth Decay Treated by Mississauga’s Top Dental Team
Tooth decay is a fact of life for most people, but you can manage it easily with the right dental team on your side. Whether you need a few dental fillings or are interested in veneers to disguise damage from decay, the team at Trillium Smile Dentistry can help. Contact us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online to get professional help for your tooth decay today.
10 May 2022
A Complete Guide to Veneers
Have you ever thought about an aspect of your smile that you would like to fix? Perhaps you chipped a tooth in your childhood and never got it fixed. Maybe you were born with porous, easily stained enamel that never responded to whitening treatments as you hoped. You may even have teeth that are too small or oddly shaped for your liking.
Veneers are the perfect solution to all these problems and more. These cosmetic prostheses allow you to hide your natural teeth behind shells of synthetic material that are shaped to your exact specifications. Our guide will explain this popular cosmetic treatment, including how veneers work, why you might want them, and how to care for them once you get them.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin slivers of synthetic material that are placed on top of the front portion of a tooth. They are created using impressions of your teeth and high-tech laboratory equipment and are shaped according to your treatment plan.
Veneers are a popular option because they allow you to camouflage stained, misaligned, or misshapen teeth. Dental veneers for the front teeth are much more common than ones made for back teeth.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Veneers?
To be a good candidate for veneers, you must:
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Have few large fillings and no untreated decay
- Have healthy gums
- Do not grind or clench your teeth
- Have a properly aligned bite
If your teeth or gums are not healthy enough for the procedure, your cosmetic dentist will guide you on how to prepare for get your veneers.
There are also a few potential drawbacks to getting veneers.
- Your teeth may be permanently more sensitive after the procedure.
- You may need to change the way that you eat to keep your veneers intact.
- Once veneers are placed, they cannot be easily removed. You must be committed to replacing your veneers when they wear down or become damaged over time.
It is important that you are prepared to accept these drawbacks if you want to proceed with getting veneers.
Types of Veneers
Two types of veneers are typically used in most procedures:
- Porcelain Veneers. These veneers are made from premium white porcelain. This material simulates the translucency and shine of real teeth very well, making these veneers look exceptionally attractive. However, they are also the most costly option.
- Composite Veneers. These veneers are made from composite resin that is similar to the material used in dental fillings. They are less expensive and require less enamel to be removed for placement, but they also do not look as convincing or attractive as the porcelain variety.
Top Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers
There are many reasons to choose veneers for your next cosmetic dental enhancement.
- They look like pearly natural teeth. Even though they are only thin shells of synthetic material, no one who looks at them would ever guess that they are not real.
- They come in many different shades of white. This lets them easily suit the shade of your natural enamel. If you choose the colour of your veneers carefully, they will blend right in with your natural teeth.
- They can disguise and prevent tooth stains. This includes intrinsic stains that cannot be removed from your tooth enamel.
- They are faster than crowns. While crowns often require multiple appointments, veneers can be applied in one visit in some cases.
- They require less enamel to be removed than crowns. They allow you to enjoy impressive results while preserving as much of your natural teeth as possible.
- They may help prevent tooth decay. By covering your teeth, they reduce the number of tooth surfaces that are exposed to sugars and acids.
- They need little ongoing maintenance. Once your veneers are in place, you should not need to replace them for several years.
Front Teeth Dental Veneers Procedure
When you show interest in veneers, your dentist will set up an initial appointment to discuss the procedure with you.
During this visit, they will examine your teeth and discuss your expectations for treatment. It is important that you understand what veneers can and cannot accomplish before proceeding with treatment. Your dentist will also discuss the cost of your veneers so you can determine how to fit the expense into your budget.
Once you have decided to get veneers, your dentist will make a second appointment to begin the procedure. Your dentist will remove some enamel from your teeth to prepare them for the veneers. They will then take an impression of your teeth to get a perfect representation of their shape. These will then be sent to a lab where the veneers will be fabricated.
When your finished veneers arrive, your dentist will schedule an appointment with you to install them. During this appointment, you will see what the veneers will look like in your mouth. Your dentist can then adjust the shape and colour of the veneers as needed to meet your expectations.
When you are happy with the result, the veneers are bonded to your teeth using dental cement. This process is permanent, so be sure that you are truly satisfied with your veneers before proceeding to this final step.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Most dental veneers last between 5 to 7 years, and some can last 10 years or more. If you want yours to last as long as possible, be sure to take excellent care of them as soon as they are installed.
How Do You Care for Veneers?
Veneers are a relatively low-maintenance cosmetic dental treatment. Follow the tips below to keep yours clean, intact, and firmly in place.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day.
- Do not chew on hard objects like pencils, ice, or fingernails.
- Never use your teeth to open packaging.
- Do not bite into food with your front teeth. Instead, use your back teeth to chew as much as possible.
- Wear a mouthguard while playing sports, as well as at night if you grind your teeth.
Visit the Best Dentist for Porcelain Veneers in Mississauga
Ready to create the smile you have always dreamed of? Trillium Smile Dentistry makes it easy to get stunning dental veneers in Mississauga. Our staff will walk you through the entire procedure from start to finish to ensure that you receive results you are happy with. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or through our online form to book your initial appointment and discuss your needs with one of the best cosmetic dentists in the GTA.
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