Help! My Dentures Feel Loose
Did you know loose dentures can cause a whole host of problems like infection, difficulty speaking, and even jawbone atrophy? If you notice your dentures are becoming loose, now is the time to seek help.
3 Reasons Your Teeth Appear Shorter Than They Once Did
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought your teeth look shorter than they used to? It may seem strange, but it’s a common problem. Whether you have one or more teeth that look smaller, we provide plenty of services to help remedy the issue.
Here at Downtown Dental Studio, we understand your oral health isn’t just about function but about appearance. And teeth that have grown shorter over time can affect both. Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD, are happy to help you get to the root of the problem and offer you the best treatment going forward.
Three reasons your teeth look shorter than they used to
When compared to your other features, teeth that look shorter or smaller can make you uncomfortable. It causes some of our patients to avoid smiling. In addition, it can make it harder to do practical things like chew properly.
While about one to eight percent of the population is born with small teeth (a condition known as microdontia), many more see their teeth get smaller over time. If this describes your situation, you may wonder why this happened in the first place.
1. Clenching and grinding
Teeth clenching or grinding is often an unconscious action during stress or concentration. Others may unknowingly do it in their sleep or because of their uneven bite. Whatever the reason, people who commonly grind or clench their teeth will often experience erosion that causes them to become smaller over time.
2. Overindulging in certain foods and drinks
Beverages like soft drinks, energy drinks, and foods that contain lots of sugars and starches wear away at your tooth enamel. If you indulge in these types of foods and drinks often and especially without breaks in between, you could see your teeth begin to shrink.
3. Another medical conditions
In some cases, another health problem could be to blame for your shortening teeth. For example, GERD (or gastroesophageal reflux disorder) is a condition that causes stomach acids to travel up into the esophagus. This creates many problems, including erosion of the enamel on your teeth.
In addition, medical conditions that lead to excess vomiting — such as bulimia, gastroenteritis, alcoholism, and even morning sickness during pregnancy — can cause enough wear and tear on your enamel that your teeth will become shorter.
What to do if your teeth are getting shorter
First, it’s crucial to determine the reason for your shrinking teeth. Hopefully, this way, you’ll be able to fix the underlying problem instead of just its effects — and as a result, keep it from happening again after you get treatment.
There are several excellent options for making your teeth appear longer. Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain that are fitted over the front of your natural teeth. If only one or a few of your teeth are shorter than you’d like, bonding or dental crowns could also be a great solution. Depending on your situation, we can help you choose the best option for your smile.
Here’s something to smile about!
We can help you fix your small teeth and obtain the look and feel you want. Just call 212-964-3337, or make an appointment on our website to visit our office in New York’s Financial District.
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