Wrinkles, a few extra pounds, gray hair – the signs of aging are there for the world to see. But your mouth also reveals your age. As you get older, your teeth change. And no matter how diligent you are about your oral health care, an aging smile is far more prone to develop problems than a younger smile. The good news is that there are plenty of cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry solutions available.
Eliminating Stains, Cracks, and Chips
Your teeth can age you not only by their condition and limited functionality but particularly in their appearance. But there are simple solutions for resolving the stains that have settled into your teeth. Perhaps you had a smoking habit, or you’ve long nursed a coffee drinking, red wine, or daily soda fix. Indulging in these vices will, over time, affect the shade of your tooth enamel.
Older adults are more likely to have darker teeth because, over time, tooth enamel thins. And simultaneously the dentin – your tooth’s middle layer – becomes thicker and darker. The dentin can show through the enamel and make your teeth look darker even if you haven’t maintained any habits that could stain your teeth.
In many cases, an easy professional teeth whitening treatment is all that is needed to rid your teeth of unattractive stains. Your dentist will determine if you are a viable candidate for teeth whitening and, in many cases, your smile can be completely revitalized in as little as one hour.
For individuals whose teeth are beyond the help of teeth whitening, you’ll have the opportunity to entertain another solution. Permanently stained teeth can be concealed by natural-looking porcelain veneers. Veneers not only rid your teeth of stains, they are an ideal solution for cracked or chipped teeth – and broken teeth is a common side effect of aging.
the veneers create a straight, stunning smile and are fitted to suit your mouth. They can lengthen your teeth and naturally plump out your lips and, quite often, minimize the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth. A multifaceted anti-aging solution? You don’t have to have years of wisdom under your belt to say yes to something so transforming. Missing teeth? The shape of your face will change >>
Addressing the Health of Your Gums
Even if you are supremely conscientious about maintaining a daily brushing and flossing routine and keeping up with your professional cleanings and exams twice a year, your age simply makes you susceptible to oral health problems – most notably, gum disease. Almost half of all Americans over the age of 30 have some sort of periodontal disease. And once you hit age 65 that rate increases to over 70 percent.
Gum disease takes many forms and its severity varies, but if you are maintaining your bi-annual preventive care visits, your dentist is likely to catch any signs of periodontal disease before it becomes severe. For those older adults who neglect their oral health, untreated gum disease can leave you in dire straits, causing problems like receding gums and tooth loss. You may experience bleeding, sensitive gums, and swelling – all painful and unattractive side effects of periodontitis.
Older adults are particularly at risk for gum disease because of other side effects of aging. Certain medications can cause dry mouth and a mouth that is low on saliva production is teeming with bacteria, making it ripe for cavities and periodontal disease to develop. A compromised immune system because of cancer or other serious illnesses, as well as hormonal changes like menopause, can impact the health of your mouth and lead to the need for periodontal treatment and restorative dentistry.
Don’t allow your smile to age you when the solution for a younger-looking you is so readily available. Contact Dr. Shaista Najmi at Ivory Dental in Jacksonville, Florida, to schedule your consultation and learn more about the smile makeover that will restore your smile and take years off of your appearance.