Archives for October 2013

Will my porcelain veneers yellow over the years?

Posted on October 31, 2013 by niceteeth.

Hi,

I have porcelain veneers and I’d like to know if they will eventually turn yellow like my real teeth are?

–Anthony, Easton, MD

Anthony,

That’s a great question. And the answer is no, they shouldn’t. Porcelain veneers have a protective coating that keeps them stain-resistant. However, the tooth underneath the veneer may attract stains over time and therefore begin to yellow. This yellowing of your real tooth may make it seem as though your porcelain veneer is yellowing, but it’s not the case.

How can you help prevent this yellowing of your real tooth? Try limiting consumption of foods and drinks that are known to leave behind stains. For example, it may be a good idea is to avoid drinking red wine, black coffee or teas. Avoid eating berries. And smoking is definitely something to avoid. Also, if you aren’t already doing so, make it a habit to rinse out your mouth after eating. The longer dark foods and liquids are allowed to hang around on your teeth, the more likely they are to leave behind stains.

Let me caution you about trying to use teeth whitening strips or a whitening toothpaste on your porcelain veneers to combat the yellowing. Those things are very abrasive to the protective coating on your veneers and will destroy it. So don’t do it. Instead, find a great cosmetic dentist who will know the right cement to use to protect against yellowing. Also, find a cosmetic dentist who knows the tricks to protecting the edges of your porcelain veneers, which are vulnerable to staining. Your edges are best protected by being placed in an unnoticeable area — a good cosmetic dentist knows this and how to keep your porcelain veneers looking beautiful.

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.

Do I still need to see a dentist?

Posted on October 21, 2013 by iowasmiles.

My tooth has a sore (abscess??)on it. It’s killing me. I was going to take some antibiotics that I already have to take care of the problem. Is it possible to just clear up the sore without going to the dentist? I’m hoping to avoid the dentist altogether because I don’t want them to rope me into an unnecessary procedures.

Thanks!

–Leigh K.- Norfolk, VA

Leigh,

Sorry, you’ll need to go to the dentist.

But to answer you question: Yes, it’s possible to clear up the abscess without out going to the dentist. But clearing up the abscess is not the same as a taking care of the problem. Antibiotics are only treating the abscess. But what about the infection that caused the abscess?

Inside of your tooth there is pulp tissue. As the tissue swells, it has no place to go so it dies. But the bacteria doesn’t. It continues to live on and then eventually spill out of the tooth, which caused your abscess. The infection can also spread to your jaw and possibly affect your breathing.

The only way to truly take care of the infection is to go the dentist and have him or her clear the infection out of your tooth. And since you don’t have a regular dentist, an emergency dentist is the perfect option. You can have your necessary problem taken care of then schedule any other treatments that you might need at a later time.

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS .

In need of a gentle dentist

Posted on October 1, 2013 by iowasmiles.

Hi. I am very afraid of going to the dentist. I’ve had a few bad experiences in the past and have basically just stopped going. I know I need to go back, but now that it’s been so long since I’ve gone, I’m afraid to even set an appointment. Do you think seeing a gentle dentist can help me?

– Cary in New York

Cary,

Having anxiety about going to the dentist is not uncommon. Did you know that over 35 million Americans have some dental fear? Sometimes the sounds, smells, and lights associated with the dentist office can become triggers for fearful patients and put patients into an anxious state. Some patients are fearful of pain or have had past negative dental experiences, such as you have, and now are embarrassed to go to the dentist because of years of neglect. Because of these reasons, many dentists now offer gentle dentistry.

The goal of gentle dentistry is simple: Help people who have fear of going to the dentist feel more at ease. The comfort of the patient is the main concern. Gentle dentists want to take away the anxious feelings associated with being in the chair. One way is to significantly alter the patient’s perception of what a dentist visit looks like. For example, a gentle dentist may have a warm and friendly staff to greet you who is understanding of your needs and fears. He or she may offer relaxing music or other recreational items during your dental appointment to distract you from your anxiety. He or she will most certainly make sure that you have time to discuss your fears and ask questions about your treatments, all things that give you a reassuring dental experience and help to establish trust between you and your dental provider. These days, fearful patients even have the benefit of anesthesia with sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry gets you into a semi-conscious state where you can feel relaxed and sleepy during your dental procedure. You might even actually go to sleep during the procedure. Sometimes you’ve slept so soundly during the procedure that you wake up not even remembering that you’ve even had it.

With the latest advancements in dentistry, there are virtually no reasons to fear the dentist at all. Your dental experience can be gentle and painless, and even pleasant. Imagine going to the dentist and coming out happy about your experience, not just happy that you got it over with. And dentists can offer all sorts of amenities to help alleviate your dental fears. Remember that the gentle dentist’s mission is to make sure your visit comfortable, relaxing and anxiety-free.

This post is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS .