If you are noticing that your smile looks or feels different as time goes on, you are not alone. It is very common for patients to notice both aesthetic and functional dental changes with age. The good news is that our Novato dentists provide treatments to refresh your smile and help you maintain oral health. As you get older, you may notice a change in…
Color
If you have noticed that your smile looks darker or yellower as times goes on, you are certainly not alone. It is very common for previously white and bright teeth to discolor over the years. Some of this is attributable to environmental stains—from foods, drinks, and tobacco products—building up over time. Additionally, your smile can start to look yellow because your enamel is becoming thinner, and thus you can see more of the yellow dentin beneath the enamel.
Sensitivity
The dental nerves that sit in the core of the tooth, within the dental pulp, are quite sensitive. The good news is that most of the time these nerves are protected by dental layers like the enamel and dentin. If, however, these layers develop holes, or become too thin, irritants will be able to reach sensitive nerves. This can also happen when gum tissue begins to pull away from the tooth roots.
Vulnerability
Another concern for our patients is that weakened dental enamel becomes less and less effective at protecting fragile inner tooth layers from bacteria and damage. For this reason, you may start to develop cavities more frequently, and you may notice cracks and chips popping up on previously healthy teeth.
While we don’t have magic wand that will stop the effects of time, we do provide the aesthetic and restorative treatments you need to smile confidently again. Get started by calling our Novato biomimetic dentists, or by submitting an inquiry through our Contact Us page. We look forward to speaking with you!