Our Saint Louis dentists believe that in order to maintain
healthy smiles, our patients need to really understand the dental difficulties
they will face every day at home. We already know that junk food, like sugary
snacks can hurt your teeth, however, there is another equally common threat to
teeth—acid erosion.
Acid erosion occurs when dental enamel weakens and softens
due to exposure to acidic substances. Acid erosion can progress undetected for
a long-time, slowly degrading dental enamel and leaving your teeth prone to
cavities. So how can you tell if you’re suffering from acid erosion? Patients
battling acid erosion will often notice that their teeth are more sensitive
than they used to be. Additionally, you may find that your teeth are more prone
to cavities than they were before. However, in order to monitor the progression
of your acid erosion, and perhaps in order to identify it in the first place,
you’ll need to discuss your concerns with your dentist during your semi-annul
professional dental cleanings.
Although acid erosion is sometimes unavoidable, there are
certain simple steps that you can take to minimize the likelihood of dental
erosion.
This first thing to remember is that acid erosion occurs
when acidic substances are allowed to sit on the teeth and penetrate the dental
enamel. To help avoid this try:
-drinking acidic substances with a straw
-rinsing your teeth with water after consuming acidic foods
or drinks
-refraining from brushing your teeth vigorously after
drinking or eating acid, as your teeth may still be in a weakened state.
Working with your dentist, you can manage the effects of
dental erosion and maintain healthy teeth for years to come. Give our Saint Louis dental office a call if you have questions or you’d like to schedule an
appointment. As always we’re here to help!
When patients experience dental disease, they often notice
dental discoloration as a first sign of infection. Previously white dental
enamel can become dark brown or black as bacteria breach the dental enamel and
proceed to infect the layers of dentin and dental pulp below. Our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists educate our patients about the progression of dental decay,
so that they can do their best to avoid dental discoloration and long-term
cosmetic problems.
Dental enamel is the hard, white outer covering of the
tooth. For the most part, the enamel is what many patients care about for
aesthetic reasons. Bright, white dental enamel can make you appear younger,
vibrant, and healthy. When a tooth is first infected with a cavity, you may
notice a dark spot or streak on the tooth. As the infection moves through the
enamel to the dentin and then finally the dental pulp, more and more of the
tooth can appear dark and less vibrant.
Unfortunately, these cosmetic problems wont just disappear
on their own. Once your tooth is compromised and infected, a professional
dentist must treat the cavity. The good news is that modern dentists can use
natural-looking tooth-colored fillings to treat teeth, so that fillings are practically
invisible to the naked eye after treatment.
Additionally, once the infection is eliminated, your natural
enamel may be receptive to professional teeth whitening treatments, which can
lighten discolored areas. Patients with persistent, stubborn stains may choose
to use cosmetic veneers to resurface the appearance of teeth.
No matter what your cosmetic decision, the first step to
reclaiming your stunningly white smile is adequate dental care that effectively
treats your dental decay and infection. Once your teeth are healthy and structurally
sound, our Saint Louis cosmetic dental office can help you enjoy a brilliant,
stain-free smile again!
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which a patient
experiences disturbed or obstructed breathing during sleep. Oral tissues fall
into the airway during sleep, preventing optimal airflow. Many obstructive
sleep apnea patients experience fitful sleep, disruptive snoring, and chocking
episodes at night. Some sleep apnea patients suffer from more than 100 sleep
apnea episodes per night.
If you or someone you know is suffering with common symptoms
of sleep apnea it’s important that you address these concerns with your dentist
right away. Over time obstructive sleep apnea may increase your likelihood for
developing diabetes, heart disease, and having a stroke.
Certain people have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
Patients with the following risk factors should stay alert for signs or
symptoms of sleep apnea including:
Being male
Being overweight
A family history of sleep apnea
Previous nose injuries, including a deviated septum
Chronic allergies
Regular sinus infections
It’s important to realize that patients of any gender and
age can experience sleep apnea. However, patients over the age of forty are
statistically more likely to battle sleep apnea.
Without adequate treatment, sleep apnea can disturb the
quality of your sleep. Sleep apnea patients often experience extreme fatigue
during the day and trouble staying asleep at night. Don’t take these symptoms lightly;
there are effective treatments available for you and your loved ones.
If you’d like to learn more about sleep apnea treatments, or
if you’d like to schedule your appointment, give our Saint Louis sleep apnea dental office a call. We’re here to help you and your family enjoy a healthy
night’s sleep!
- Our Saint Louis Dentists Explain How We Go About Restoring Damaged Smiles
- Our Saint Louis Dentists Explain How We Go About Restoring Damaged Smiles
- Our Saint Louis Dental Team Reviews How Carbohydrates Impact Your Smile
- Learn More From Our Saint Louis Dentists About Treatments That Deliver Same-Day Results
- Here Are Just Some Of The Treatments Our Saint Louis Dentists Utilize To Restore Smiles
- Minimize Your Risks Of Periodontal Problems With Dental Care in Saint Louis
- Treating Tooth Loss 101 With our Saint Louis Dental Implant Dentists
- Get More From Your Brushing Routine: Some Simple Changes From Our Saint Louis Dentists
- Learn More From Our Saint Louis Dentists About Treatments That Deliver Same-Day Results
- Saint Louis Dentist Reviews 5 Common Dental Mistakes
New Patient Special!
Or $1 custom teeth whitening with new patient exam, complete x-rays, and cleaning at full fee (a $314 value).
Cosmetic Dentistry
Information Packet
How it works, what options are available and more.