Aging affects your body in many ways, and your teeth are no exception. For instance, your body produces less saliva later in life, which is your mouth’s natural defense against cavities and gum disease. It rinses away unwanted germs and has a nearly neutral pH balance to counter acid damage to your enamel.
You might also experience stubborn stains, thinned enamel, and minor injuries that detract from your smile’s appearance. Fortunately, your dentist offers several cosmetic services to boost your looks and self-confidence. Continue reading to learn 3 ways they can give you back a younger-looking grin!
Method #1: Brighten Your Grin
Teeth tend to darken as you grow older, and if yours look more yellow or brown than pearly white, you might feel so self-conscious that you try to remain tight-lipped. Years of consuming deeply toned foods eventually leave them looking dark and dirty. If you’re overly concerned about being judged for your looks, you might even avoid socializing with others, which can detract from your daily quality of life.
Thankfully, your dentist offers professional teeth whitening services that can remove years’ worth of discoloration. A single in-office procedure can potentially lift the color of your grin by up to eight shades for instant results. If you’re short on time, they can send you home with ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted applicator trays for optimal results in a couple of weeks from the comfort of your living room.
Method #2: Correct Chips & Cracks
Your enamel also typically thins over the years, which is the inevitable result of daily biting and chewing over an extended period, even if you regularly brush and floss twice daily. As this protective outer layer weakens, you’re more likely to sustain chips, cracks, fractures, or breaks that can detract from your appearance.
If you have minor aesthetic flaws that make you look older than you feel, you might benefit from porcelain veneers. These thin, ceramic shells are customized to be just the right hue, shape, and size, then are cemented to the fronts of your teeth to mask imperfections like stubborn stains, minor damage, slight gaps, and even mild overcrowding.
Method #3: Rebuild Enamel
Not only might your thinned enamel sustain injuries, but it’s also more likely to look and feel worn down. If the crowns of your teeth, or the portion above the gumline, become too short or uneven, it can affect more than your visage. You might overwork your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) if your upper and lower arches don’t touch the way they should when you close your mouth, which can contribute to a stiff or locked jaw and dental misalignments.
Your provider can use dental bonding to rebuild your teeth to improve your appearance and oral health. This involves placing color-matched composite resin directly to your enamel and shaping it before hardening it in place with an ultraviolet curing light. The result is a lifelike fix that can last 5 to 10+ years if cared for correctly.
If the condition of your grin makes you feel self-conscious about your age, it’s not too late to contact your dentist to schedule a cosmetic consultation!
Meet the Author
Dr. Sarfraz Verjee has more than 15 years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. He earned his dental degree at the New York University College of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to stay on top of the latest developments in technology and techniques. He offers a complete menu of services so you and your family receive the same top-quality care, including cosmetic procedures, regardless of your age. If you want to improve your appearance, you can request a consultation on the website or by calling (713) 943-9993.