Can I Treat a Cavity on My Own?
Cavities are a common cause of toothaches. When pain flares up, you might be tempted to treat the cavity yourself. In this blog, we discuss whether you should and provide tips for easing toothache pain at home.
As dental health is a vital part of your overall health, having the facts about the various dental treatments and appliances is key to understanding your best options for proper care of your teeth.
Tooth decay is a common culprit of dental problems (undiagnosed tooth decay in 13.2% of kids between 5-19 and 25.9% of adults between 20-44), but your teeth can be compromised in many other ways, like injuries and gum disease.
Any of these can lead to chipping, cracking, and discoloration of teeth, which can be managed with dental veneers which are designed to cover the affected teeth. However, there are some misinformed ideas about how veneers work, and the effect they have on your teeth. Let’s spend some time dispelling myths so you can make the best choices for your teeth.
Residents of the Mount Vernon, New York, area looking for dental veneers or other care for your teeth can find help with Drs. Wayne Hofflich, Tiffany Beam, and the experienced team at SmileBoutique. We are dedicated to giving you the best service with meticulous, comprehensive, customized care catered to your unique needs.
Here are some common myths about veneers:
A common reason for people to be wary of veneers is they believe that their teeth will be damaged in some way, such as damaging your teeth during application, or weakening teeth once applied.
While it’s true, some procedures will require enamel to be removed from parts of your teeth, this is not always the case, and the veneers themselves will help to strengthen the teeth treated. Your teeth will be cleaned extensively before the veneers are applied to avoid any chance of bacteria buildup, and once they are applied, you will use them normally with no damage to your teeth.
This is related to the previous myth, in that people think that if the tooth is shaved down, it will weaken the tooth, causing further damage in the future.
However, many people get veneers to correct crooked teeth, which may not require anything more than cleaning before the procedure. In fact, No-Prep Veneers are available to improve teeth without extensive work, requiring no alteration to your teeth.
It’s easy to dismiss veneers as a treatment for vanity purposes, and just not consider it a way to medically help treat tooth problems. After all, they’re just porcelain covers for teeth, right?
Of course, the answer isn’t so simple. If you’re dealing with chipped or broken teeth, not doing something about it could potentially get infected, doing damage to your teeth and jaw. And even if the chip or crack isn’t that bad, they can affect your ability to eat and speak. Having veneers to manage issues like that alone can be beneficial to your health and not just a cosmetic fix.
These concerns may also be applied to other dental replacements like crowns and implants. If you get a replacement tooth, how is it going to look beside your other real teeth?
In the case of veneers, they come in two varieties: porcelain and composite. Both types can be made to look similar to your other teeth, but porcelain veneers tend to have a more normal color and will last longer.
Another concern that can be applied to other dental replacements, teeth staining is frustrating and can affect your desire to show your teeth. So are veneers easier to stain than other methods?
The short answer is no. Both types of veneers are difficult to stain, and even though the composite may stain over time, both can be cared for just like your other teeth. As long as you’re practicing proper dental care, you don’t have to worry about staining.
Veneers are a safe, long-lasting solution to managing chipped or cracked teeth. They obviously have a cosmetic effect on your smile, but they can also protect your teeth while looking completely natural. If you’re ready to get veneers, make an appointment with Dr. Hofflich or Dr. Beam at SmileBoutique today.
