Aging takes any number of devious twists and turns. Some people get ridiculously thin. Others put on weight they cannot shed. And one of the most unfortunate side effects of aging is the loss of volume in places where you wish it would stay put, like your lips. Plenty of people resort to makeup, fillers, and even plastic surgery in the hopes of renewing their once plump pout, but these techniques can look fake and appear painful. There is a cosmetic dentistry option that will revitalize your smile while also plumping up your lips in a very flattering way: porcelain veneers.
The Culprit Behind Thin Lips
The soft tissue in our lips is supported by collagen, which our bodies produce less of as we age. This leads to thinning lips, a side effect of growing older that some women notice as early as their twenties. Another side effect of aging is low bone density in your jaw, and this problem can create a sunken look because your lips aren’t properly supported. As a result, lips may roll inward, making them look thin.
Our bad habits don’t help with keeping the collagen we have alive. Are you a sun devotee? Too much sun exposure can do a number on your lips, even if you keep them protected with a sunscreen lip balm or lipstick. Along with the natural heat, hot showers play a role in thinning lips by contributing to dry lips. And while it might seem that licking your lips keeps them moist, it does your pout no favors.
Throw the Quick Fixes Away
If the fullness of your lips – or lack thereof – is on your mind, then you’re aware of the many products on the market that promise to give you that “bee stung” look. Lip venoms and lip plumpers, whether in the form of lipstick, gloss, or balm, all promise to inflate your lips by stimulating collagen growth. Do they really work? Sometimes. But the tradeoff is tingly lips and a temporary solution. Topical solutions usually wear off the moment you take a sip from your glass or wipe your lips with a napkin.
Isn’t there anything that’s permanent that doesn’t involve injecting your lips with a needle full of a toxin every few months? Yes, as a matter of fact there is, and it’s called cosmetic dentistry.
The Anti-Aging Properties of Porcelain Veneers
While deciding to get porcelain veneers to plump up your lips may seem like an extreme measure to some, consider the benefits: You’re not only giving yourself a more youthful look by naturally pushing your lips out, you’re also minimizing fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth and giving your smile some serious wow factor. And you’ll look younger with a smile makeover, not to mention healthier and happier.
Porcelain veneers are designed to give you a natural-looking smile, so your teeth function appropriately and simply look good. The incredibly thin porcelain that is bonded to your teeth shapes your grin into an attractive, straight smile with teeth that are the right length and color for your face while allowing your lips to sit differently on your teeth and thereby plumping up your lips.
Put away the lip liners and magical lip gloss. Talk to Dr. Shaista Najmi at Ivory Dental in Jacksonville, Florida, about porcelain veneers, Lumineers, and other cosmetic dentistry treatments that can help combat the aging side effects that are plaguing you.