Dentist near Neergabby

How acid wears teeth

Acid softens the outer layer of a tooth, the enamel, for a while after you eat or drink. Do that often enough and the enamel slowly wears away. Citrus fruit and juice, soft drinks, sports drinks, wine and vinegar are all acidic, and sipping or snacking through the day gives teeth less time to recover. Reflux and vomiting can do the same from the inside.

Signs of acid wear:

• Teeth that have become sensitive to cold or sweet things
• Front teeth that look glassy or see-through at the edges
• Teeth looking more yellow, as the enamel thins and the layer underneath shows through
• Fillings that seem to stand up higher than the tooth around them

What helps

• Have citrus and acidic drinks with meals rather than on their own through the day.
• Rinse with water afterwards, and wait about an hour before brushing so the softened enamel can firm up again.
• Use a soft toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste, and don't scrub.
• Drink juice and soft drink through a straw, and don't hold or swish them around your mouth.
• If you have reflux, tell your GP as well as us.

Repairing worn teeth

Lost enamel doesn't grow back, so the aim is to slow the wear down and protect what's left. Where teeth are already worn or sensitive, tooth-coloured fillings, onlays or veneers can cover and protect them. We'll explain the options and costs, and keep an eye on things at your check-ups.

Neergabby grew up around the old stock route, and the Old Junction Bridge over Gingin Brook dates from 1863. Today it's a short drive west to Indian Ocean Drive and then a straight run south to us.

Getting here from Neergabby

1. Take Gingin Brook Road west to Indian Ocean Drive.
2. Turn left onto Indian Ocean Drive and head south for about 20 km, past the Guilderton and Woodridge turn-offs.
3. Turn right onto Breakwater Drive into Two Rocks.
4. Turn into Constellation Entrance at the roundabout on Breakwater Drive — we're at number 6.

Questions from Neergabby