Can your smile age You?

If you are celebrating being alive anywhere from 40 to 50+ years, you could very well be experiencing what a lot of people do: weakening enamel or dark stains on your teeth. Dr. Idriss notes that, over time tooth enamel can wear down because of brushing, grinding, and even carbohydrate-rich foods that are left on your teeth. Food left behind can produce enamel-eating acids.When enamel becomes weak teeth begin to appear dull and may even crack or chip. Since you cannot replace eroded enamel it's important to remember that Dr. Idriss can disguise such problems with veneers! You see, veneers are essentially a new outer layer of enamel; and when done correctly veneers are virtually undetectable. Veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry so it's essential to stay with a regimen of regular teeth cleanings to maintain your "fresh" appearance and keep the veneers looking clean and strong. By the way, any teeth you have covered by veneers are no longer susceptible to decay which makes the overall tooth less vulnerable. As you advance in age you will also start to see that years of wear and tear can produce teeth stains that are hard to get rid of. The process of shrinkage of the pulp inside your teeth begins in later years and darker-colored dentin fills in. Depending on the the type of stain you have - intrinsic or extrinsic - teeth bleaching, crowns, or veneers will be needed to do away with the problem(s). Examples of the causes of extrinsic stains include smoking, drinking coffee,tea,and red wine, and sometimes even - mouthwash. These stains can be treated with prophylaxis and if needed, bleaching. In your 40's or 50's your gums may be doing a "disappearing" act. As your face ages your teeth sometimes push forward which in turn, can cause the lower front teeth to crowd. Dr. Idriss can fix problems like this with several different procedures, depending on the severity of the situation. Dr. Idriss has much more she can share with you relative to any of the above problems. Contact our office for your evaluation so something can be done sooner, rather than later! The Smile Designer: 281-257-8815. Thank you for taking time to learn about our expertise and available services!