Discover the Fountain of Youth

Discover the Fountain of Youth with a Beautiful Smile

While it may be a stretch to call it the Fountain of Youth, it is true that a healthy, radiant smile can erase years from your face. People often want to maintain or re-gain their healthy, youthful appearance. The problem is that normal wear and tear, combined with the subtle (and not so subtle) changes caused by aging, can steal the sparkle from your smile. Whether you are a thirty-something or a great-grand parent, cosmetic dentistry can give you the opportunity to look years younger than your actual age, and give your confidence and self-esteem a big boost!

Teeth that have worn down, chipped, stained or shifted from a proper alignment create what is termed an “elderly smile.” As we age, teeth become thinner as enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, is worn away. This thinner enamel chips more easily, which causes teeth to look shorter or broken. Thinner enamel also allows the gray and gold colors to show through from the deeper parts of the teeth. Elderly smiles tend to be flat on the edges and dark/dull in color.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Smile?

A skilled and well-trained cosmetic dentist can offer you choices to create a brighter and more youthful smile. These include:

Teeth Whitening – This is usually the simplest and fastest smile enhancement. Year of smile-dulling foods and beverages darken the enamel. Tooth whitening is a fast, inexpensive and proven way to brighten the teeth. Usually, impressions of the teeth are taken and special plastic trays are made. The whitening gel is placed into the trays and then the trays are placed over the teeth. These trays are worn for a few hours each day or overnight. In a few short weeks, your teeth are as bright as they can be.

The only problems with teeth whitening is that it will not change the color of large fillings or crowns. If some of your teeth have restorations, they will not change color while the other teeth will change. This is not an attractive result. If you have some large restorations or crowns that show in your smile, tooth whitening is not a good choice for you.

Bonding – Bonding is using a tooth colored material to fill in gaps between the teeth or to fix chipped teeth. This can usually be done in a single office visit and can last several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining and chipping than other restorative choices.

Crowns – Crowns (also known as “caps”) cover a tooth completely, right down to the gum line. Crowns are made of porcelain and sometimes utilize a metal core for added strength. Teeth that are significantly broken down or decayed do not have enough strength for bonding or a filling. A crown holds the tooth together and makes it less likely to fracture apart. Crowns can last a long time with proper care.

Veneers – Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are attached to teeth with special “glue.” Veneers are used to improve the appearance and function of teeth that are discolored, uneven, chipped, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked.

Smile Makeovers – To create a beautiful smile, veneers or crowns are used on all of the teeth that show when you smile. In this way, all the teeth can be made to have the same bright color, proper shapes and youthful contours. Each patient can decide on his/her individual desires to make a positive change. Patients tell us how wonderful they feel about their smiles and how happy they are that they had their smile made over. It is not only looking good, but also feeling good about yourself. A radiant smile helps to show off your inner beauty as well.

What Should I Look for in a Cosmetic Dentist?

In order to make sure your dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends that you ask your dentist for the following items before undergoing treatment:

-       Before and after photos – These photos will allow you to examine the results of other patients that have been treated by this dentist to be sure that his/her work fits your dental needs and expectations.

-       References – References allow you to get a sense of the quality of care the dentist provides.

-       Proof of continuing education – Be certain that your dentist has taken continuing education courses to keep him/her up-to-date with the latest techniques in clinical cosmetic dentistry.

Nothing can make you look and feel younger than a beautiful smile. It is a fact! Plastic surgeons always comment that they can get rid of wrinkles and make the skin look tighter, but the patient’s teeth always gives away their age. A youthful smile is the true way to the Fountain of Youth!

Medications, Side Effects and your Oral Health

Aging seems to bring an increase in the number and type of medications we take.  Each has its purpose and provides benefits to help us enjoy healthier and happier lives.  Unfortunately, many also have bothersome side effects that impact our oral health.  Many common medications cause a range of problems that can make your mouth dry and sensitive, and can even cause rampant decay. Others may cause excessive bleeding or problems with the bone in your jaws.  Great communication with your dentist is key to minimizing the risks and severity of these oral side effects.

 Osteoporosis drugs (like Fossamax, Boniva, Actonel and others) are used to strengthen bones and decrease the risk of hip and other bone fractures. They are also used in certain cancer treatments.  Dental risks come from taking these long-term and seem to be even more prevalent with intravenous use as opposed to taking them orally.  Men and women who have taken these medications risk oral problems if teeth are removed or periodontal (gum disease) treatments are done that involve the jaw bone.  Occasionally, these areas do not heal correctly and are chronically raw, painful, inflamed and can lead to exposed jaw bone through the gums.  Never stop taking these without consulting with your physician.  The risks of developing these dental side effects are low and the benefits of taking these medications far outweigh the risks.  More studies are currently being done, so stay in touch with your health care providers and pharmacists to be informed regarding the most recent updates.

 Blood thinning drugs such as Coumadin or Warfarin slow the blood’s ability to form clots to decrease the possibility of a heart attack or stroke.  The key is to regulate the amount of this medication in your system to keep the clotting time within a specific range.  As long as the proper level is maintained, it is safe to have dental work done and even safe to remove one or two teeth.  Never stop taking this drug without strict monitoring by your physician. The risks of serious medical complications and/or death go up considerably when you stop taking blood thinners.  On the other hand, too much of this drug may thin your blood so much that you could lose too much blood during a dental procedure.  If you are taking this type of medication and need a dental procedure that might cause bleeding, have your blood level checked within a day of the dental appointment to be safe.

Dry Mouth is a side effect of over 400 drugs in use today. These include: antihistamines, decongestants, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sedatives, pain medications, Parkinson’s disease medications and antacids. It is hard to avoid this side affect if you take many different medications.

Saliva is critical to oral health.  It lubricates and eases chewing, swallowing and digestion. It also dilutes the acids that cause cavities.  People who wear dentures may have a difficult time keeping them in their mouth because of increased mouth sores and lack of suction. Those with natural teeth can see marked increases in decay and tooth sensitivity.  Mouth soreness and tenderness can affect anyone with decrease saliva flow. There is no real solution to these problems, but using a “saliva substitute”, sipping on water or sugarless liquids, or sucking on sugarless candy can help.

Tooth Decay is a side affect of any medication that dries out your mouth.  Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, contain a lot of sugar.  These include antacids, cough drops and many chewable tablets.  This increase of sugar can result in a marked increase in tooth decay even with good home brushing and flossing habits. Ask your dentist for a fluoride supplement to brush on your teeth and seek regular preventive care.

Altered taste sensation results in a metallic or bitter taste.  Some medications can change the perceived taste of all the foods you eat. These include certain cardiovascular drugs, central nervous system stimulants, Flagyl (metronidazole, an antibiotic) nicotine skin patches and some respiratory inhalants.  Ask your physician or pharmacists if you suspect that the medication you take is causing altered taste.  If this side effect is intolerable, ask your physician if your medication can be changed.

 Herbal supplements are often marketed to treat depression or help memory functions.  Many people think that it is not important to tell their health care providers that they take these supplements.  However, many “herbal remedies” can have a significant, negative impact on your other medications.  For example, Ginko may interfere with blood thinners like Coumadin, causing over thinning and bleeding disorders.  Ginseng can increase blood pressure and should not be used if you are taking a medicine for high blood pressure.  There are many others.  If you take herbal supplements, be honest and fully disclose them to your physician and pharmacist to minimize potential complications.

The bottom line is to be sure to let your dentist know about all the medications and over-the-counter products you use.  Good oral health is a team effort that needs excellent communication among you, your physician and your dentist.  Be sure to take a list of your medications and supplements to give to your dentist and update him/her of any changes in your medications or health history. 

            Keep Smiling – Dr. Steve Wegner