Your tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer of your teeth that protects against decay and daily abuse. Tooth enamel is stronger than bone — but it isn’t immune to damage.
As your enamel erodes or becomes weak, you may become more sensitive to hot and cold drinks and food. This is because weak tooth enamel essentially exposes the nerves in your teeth.
Once tooth enamel has been damaged, it can’t be restored. You can’t rebuild tooth enamel, but you can strengthen it with better lifestyle choices and cosmetic dentistry procedures. Here’s what you should know about enamel erosion and how we can help.
What Causes Enamel Erosion?
Enamel typically becomes eroded as bacteria produce acids that wear it down. This can also be caused by lifestyle choices such as:
Consuming soft drinks and fruit drinks. Soda is high in citric acid and phosphoric acid that seep into the pores of the enamel.
Having continual acid reflux or GERD, which causes acidic damage to the enamel.
Constant dry mouth. Saliva washes away bacteria and protects the enamel from acid, so if you’re not producing enough saliva your enamel may not be as protected.
Eating a high starch and high sugar diet. The bacteria in your mouth feed on starch and sugar and produce an acidic byproduct which can lead to enamel erosion.
Nightly friction from teeth grinding and other wear and tear can wear away enamel.
Daily poor brushing habits. How you brush your teeth may contribute to enamel loss if you brush too often or too hard.
While it’s true that you can’t rebuild or replace enamel, your dentist can help repair the worn enamel and restore the appearance and function to your teeth. There are several procedures that may be a good option, depending on the severity of the enamel loss.
Options for Strengthening Enamel & Restoring Appearance of Teeth Due to Weak Enamel
Tooth Bonding. One of the most popular cosmetic procedures is called tooth bonding, which is ideal for mild cases of erosion. Tooth bonding involves applying a special tooth-colored resin that’s bonded to the tooth. Bonding can be effective at fixing a chipped tooth, improving the appearance of discolored teeth, and essentially creating “false” enamel to strengthen tooth enamel before it erodes further.
Dental Veneers. If only the enamel on the front surfaces of your teeth has become damaged, we may recommend dental veneers. Veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain that are cemented to the front-facing surfaces of the teeth. Dental veneers are basically custom-made shells that improve the appearance of your teeth and protect you against the consequences of worn enamel. Once the veneers are bonded to your teeth, they can change the length, size, shape, and color of your teeth.
Due to his years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Mishaan is an expert at using procedures like dental veneers to carefully craft a beautiful smile that fully compliments you.
Porcelain Crowns. Finally, porcelain dental crowns may be recommended if your enamel is very damaged or your teeth are severely misshapen, discolored, or require extensive dental work. A crown serves as a cap that covers a damaged tooth completely.
Unfortunately, most people do not give their tooth enamel much thought until it’s gone. Dental procedures like tooth bonding and veneers can be a permanent solution to address weakened enamel while restoring a bright, beautiful smile.
If you are concerned about enamel loss and are in New York City, contact our office today to schedule your appointment and discuss your treatment options with leading cosmetic dentist Dr. Mishaan.
Whether you’ve broken a tooth due to a fall or lost a tooth from disease, you may be asking yourself, “can you regrow teeth?” or “can teeth grow back?” It may sound silly, but we’ve come across many people who ask these questions! Understanding this topic can help ensure that your dental health is well-maintained throughout the years.
Can Teeth Repair Themselves? Here’s The Simple Answer
When your teeth are cracked or chipped, or the enamel is damaged, the simple answer is that they are not going to regrow themselves.
Your teeth are different than your skin and do not regenerate. You probably know that when you get a cut, the skin should eventually grow back. Teeth, however, do not operate in the same fashion because they are not made of living tissue. Due to this, you will need to seek out the help of a cosmetic dentist to see what options are available to repair your teeth.
But What About “First and Second” Teeth Sets?
Humans are actually born with two sets of teeth. This is why children have the ability to regrow teeth when they lose their first set of teeth and their adult set eventually grows in. However, once that second set of adult teeth are in, you can’t grow another set naturally.
In other words, as an adult, if your teeth are damaged or one or more of them has fallen out, regrowth is not going to happen on its own. In most situations you are going to have to get your chipped or cracked tooth fixed professionally so that the damage doesn’t become worse.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Over-the-counter Methods
While it may be tempting to stop by the local drugstore and grab an over-the-counter dental repair kit or similar product, we do not advise this. Some of these products may seem like a convenient idea, but keep in mind that they are not designed specifically for your condition or any underlying problems you may have that has contributed to your chipped, cracked or lost tooth.
Scheduling an appointment with a professional is a much better idea than using over-the-counter repair kits. By visiting a skilled cosmetic dentist like Dr. Mishaan, you are getting the benefit of a professional diagnosis and treatment plan, which increases your odds of a speedy recovery.
How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help
Cosmetic dentistry services are varied and depend upon your specific needs. This specialty is really the best for dealing with damaged teeth and enamel problems as there are several available options.
At your appointment Dr. Mishaan will discuss all of the available options and provide a treatment plan. For example, there are dental veneers, dental crowns, or fillings to help repair the problem. Depending on where your damaged tooth is located, you may need to have one or more of your teeth bonded using a tooth-colored composite, which will completely restore the appearance of the tooth.
When Dr. Mishaan is finished with your procedure, you will never be able to tell there was an issue. In addition, we will walk you through your options and discuss the best solution to your problem. We will also discuss how to prevent further damage to your teeth to avoid these issues in the future.
The Bottom Line
In general, unfortunately adult teeth cannot regrow or repair themselves. Fixing your smile requires the help of a professional in the field. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mishaan today and start loving your smile again.
Most people know about professional cleaning and what it involves – cleaning the teeth and removing plaque. However, many people may not realize that there is actually a subtle difference between teeth whitening and bleaching because the bleaching process is similar to, but not exactly the same, as the whitening process.
Learn more about the similarities and differences between these three popular procedures.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of whitening several shades of your natural teeth. It’s designed to remove yellow stains that are caused by plaque along with certain foods like coffee or tobacco. Whitening removes the brown spots or yellow stains that are stuck on teeth for years.
The whitening process is classified as either surface whitening or bleaching. The most basic whitening occurs at the surface level of teeth above the enamel, and this is achieved by brushing the teeth using toothpaste. The second type involves the use of a specialized, adapted bleach compound used specifically for teeth whitening. This compound penetrates deeper, allowing for a whiter look to teeth. This is what you’ll find at many professional dental offices.
The myth about professional whitening is that it’s fast and completed in 30 minutes or less. To get the optimal results though, it’s actually a multi-step process that starts with the careful examination of the teeth. Dentists review the patient’s dental history and take X-rays to look for damaged areas. They observe the teeth and gums up close to make sure that everything is healthy before treatment.
At Midtown Dental, Dr. Mishaan actually uses a specialized teeth whitening service, called Zoom! whitening. This procedure uses a combination of light and a whitening gel to quickly and safely whiten your teeth in just one visit.
What is Teeth Bleaching?
Teeth bleaching is the same as whitening, except it includes the use of dental-grade (which is safe for your mouth!) bleach. To many dentists, bleaching is the strongest, most effective method of creating the whitest look on teeth. The teeth are bleached when they are whitened beyond their natural color.
Hydrogen peroxide is the most common ingredient used in bleaching gels and strips. Since bleaching can be slightly more harsh on your teeth than traditional whitening methods, it’s important to work with an experienced professional to determine whether bleaching is right for you.
Our office in New York uses a procedure called Brite Smile, which is a safe and effective teeth whitening and bleaching solution. Dr. Mishaan prefers this method because it does not usually cause post-op sensitivity on the newly bleached teeth like some other procedures do, and is a perfectly safe way to achieve optimal results.
Routine Teeth Cleaning
In general, professional teeth cleaning is a preventative dental service that involves removing dirt and debris from the teeth without any focus on the aesthetics. Dentists can professionally clean teeth that will still remain yellow afterwards. At our office, we tell our patients that annual cleanings are necessary to maintain good dental health; however, we recommend whitening strictly as a cosmetic dental service.
During cleanings, dentists like Dr. Mishaan focus on removing plaque using the scaling and root planing technique. They also clean the gums and look for any early-to-advanced signs of gum disease. They take X-rays of the teeth and look for cavities, which may lead to the recommendations of dental fillings.
Whitening or bleaching the teeth is done solely to improve the appearance of teeth. In contrast, cleaning is done to improve the functions of teeth and gums. Dentists also look for signs of diseases and other imperfections in the mouth, and may suggest referrals to oral surgeons if there are significant problems.
Dentistry has gotten more complicated over time, and so many dental procedures are now available. If you plan to visit the dentist at all, it’s still important to know what separates one procedure from another. In this case, knowing the difference between teeth whitening and bleaching can be helpful because these two terms are mistakenly used interchangeably.
At Midtown Dental, Dr. Mishaan provides professional cleaning and whitening services to those in NYC. With his expertise in Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re confident that you’ll walk away with a better looking smile for years to come. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Periodontal disease or gum disease is an infection of the tissues around the teeth. When plaque builds up in the sulcus (the small crevice between the gums and the surface of the tooth), bacteria begins to damage these tissues and wear away their connection to the tooth. Eventually, the sulcus begins to detach from the tooth and form a pocket. This pocket continues to grow until the disease is tended to. As the pocket gets larger, the disease gets more severe and generally harder to clean and eventually treat.
In the more mild stages, periodontal disease is categorized as gingivitisand only affects the gums. In time, the disease becomes irreversible and ultimately more harmful. This severe stage of periodontal disease is called periodontitis.
What are the symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
It is time to make an appointment with Dr. Mishaan if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of periodontal disease:
Bleeding gums
Gums that are red and/or tender
Receding gums
Constant bad breath and/or bad taste
Loose teeth
A change in the fit of your teeth when you bite down
What are the main causes of periodontal disease?
In his midtown dentist office, Dr. Mishaan has identified many of the main causes of periodontal disease, including:
The use of any forms of tobacco
Systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, or metabolic syndrome
Crooked teeth
Faulty or damaged fillings or bridges
The use of certain types of medications
Pregnancy
Daniell Mishaan, D.M.D. is a dentist in the Garment District in midtown Manhattan. He serves patients from all over New York City.
I have spent many years as a cosmetic dentist in Manhattan, New York and every sunny day I see the effect a sunny day has on the city. People from all five boroughs flood the parks to take in the rays, work on their tan, and enjoy the weather. Little do these sun worshippers know, but they are also extending the life and health of their teeth! That’s because vitamin D, sometime referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” is made by the body through casual exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is just as essential as calcium for forming and maintaining strong teeth and bones.
Vitamin D and Calcium are both equally necessary to counteract bone deficiencies and reduce the weakening of bone tissue. If one does not obtain the proper amounts of vitamin D and calcium, they will most certainly encounter bone loss and inflammation of many of the tissues in the body. Findings show that inflammation is a major symptom of gum diseases, which draws the conclusion that a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D may be a major risk factor for periodontal disease.
Many hours of research have been devoted to finding the best means of obtaining the required amount of vitamin D. So far, basking in the sun is at the top of the list. In fact, during winter months when the sun tends to hide away, researchers record huge drops in the levels of vitamin D in their patients. Ten to 15 minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D. During those winter months, when the sun tends to hide away, it is advised to eat foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, eggs, sardines and tuna fish.
Now, it is not advised to forego sunblock or reduce the amount of times you brush your teeth if you are hitting the beach regularly. In fact, the amount of sun you are currently soaking in is probably up to par with the recommended level. Sunblocks will allow the proper amount of vitamin D to enter the body. Exposure to the sun is not a cure to periodontal disease, it is simply is a valuable tool to combat a stubborn and rampant danger to our bodies.
If you feel that you are not receiving adequate levels of vitamin D and calcium, it is very important to talk to your dentist or physician about the possibility of taking supplements or providing other means to put you on the right track.
Daniell Mishaan, D.M.D. is a Cosmetic and Restorative dentist in the Garment District in midtown Manhattan. He serves patients from all over New York City and is open Sundays for all patients including emergencies.
New York City is a great place to live, work, and play. As a leading dentist in one of the world’s busiest cities, I know all too well the stress that my patients undergo. If stress is allowed to plague the body long enough it can cause severe damage to an individual’s physical and mental health. As a society, the dangers that stress poses to the body are fairly well known. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the effects that chronic stress has on oral health.
Chronic stress can have many significant effects on oral health. For instance, emotional stress is believed to be related to the practice of tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, jaw and facial pain, and headaches. Increased tension in the muscles of the face are a major side effect of stress. This tension can cause an individual to inadvertently grind upper and lower teeth during their sleep or even while awake. This can lead to sensitive teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, or a change in their bite. Bruxism is usually treated with a mouth guard that is worn at night to stop grinding, however, when brought on as a result of stress, patients are encouraged to treat this symptom by focusing on reducing stressful triggers and relaxation.
Stress is also known to significantly affect the immune system, leaving the victim more susceptible to infections. Oral health suffers greatly, as the risk of periodontal disease almost doubles. The gum tissue cannot fight off the ever-present bacteria lurking within the mouth and is also more vulnerable to mouth sores, dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, and TMJ disorder.
Finally, its has been found that someone under a great deal of emotional stress is more likely to develop certain coping habits to help reduce anxiety, but in the end have negative effects on oral health. Such habits include ignoring proper oral hygiene practices, engaging in desctructive behaviors such as smoking and alcohol abuse, and eating foods full of sugar.
If you are experiencing any of the following and lead a stressful lifestyle, you may be diagnosed with chronic stress:
Upset Stomach
Headaches
Backaches
Insomnia
Anxiety
Depression
Anger
If you feel you have chronic stress, it is very important to speak with your dentist about ways you can avoid causing harm to your oral health. Your dentist will likely advise a variety of methods to control chronic stress, including exercise, healthy eating habits, stress management and relaxation techniques, adequate rest, and relaxing hobbies.
Daniell Mishaan, D.M.D. is a Cosmetic and Restorative dentist in the Garment District in midtown Manhattan. He serves patients from all over New York City and is open Sundays for all patients including emergencies.
