Nowadays, cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular. One reason for this is that many people’s life spans are outliving their teeth. Therefore, in order to maintain the ability to speak and eat properly, many older adults require some type of restorative dental treatment. Not only are people looking to restore the function of their teeth, but their appearance as well.
The anti-aging trend is another main reason why cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular. Just like there is a vast array of skin products and treatments to minimize or eliminate wrinkles, there are also cosmetic dental treatments that can eliminate signs of aging and make you appear younger.
Here are a few ways that your smile can change as you age:
- The shape and size of your teeth may change due to some teeth being more worn down than others
- Your enamel becomes much thinner and exposes the underlying dentin layer, which is a yellowish color
- There may be damage such as cracks or chips on your teeth
- You may have bad breath, as well as red or bleeding gums from gum disease
- Bone mass is lost if missing teeth are not replaced and this can eventually change the overall shape of your face
- You may have loose or missing teeth
Just as wrinkles are an indicator of age, so are the aforementioned changes. Luckily, there are a variety of cosmetic dental treatments available that can restore your teeth and make you appear younger. Here are a few ways that cosmetic dentistry makes you look younger:
Restores Youthful Color
Since the enamel thins with age and allows the yellowish dentin layer to show through, yellower teeth are a common subconscious indicator of age. Conversely, teeth that are whiter and brighter in color have a more youthful appearance. With that being said, there are a few options when it comes to whitening your teeth. The first is of course teeth whitening procedures. However teeth whitening may or may not be effective, depending on the type of stain. Therefore some cases of stained teeth can be better treated using veneers or dental crowns that can cover up the stain instead of removing it.
Improves Gum Appearance
Another classic indicator of age mentioned above is the various symptoms associated with gum disease. One common symptom not mentioned is gum recession, which makes the teeth appear larger than normal. Excessively long teeth can easily make you appear older than you are. While mild cases of gum recession may be able to be resolved with periodontal cleanings, more severe cases can be managed by using a gum graft to replace missing tissue. This allows new, healthy gum tissue to grow and makes your teeth a normal size.
Repairs Damaged or Missing Teeth
Just as your teeth can become stained as the years go by, they can also become damaged or may even fall out. Luckily, cosmetic bonding, veneers, and dental crowns can all be used to repair damaged or excessively worn teeth. Additionally, partial or full dentures, bridges, and dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Ultimately cosmetic dentistry can make you appear younger by removing the various signs of aging. Restoring a brighter color, improving gum appearance, and repairing damaged or missing teeth are all essential ways that cosmetic dentistry increases the aesthetics of your smile while taking years off of your age.
