As time passes, you may notice that the aging process has started to change your appearance. Apart from the gray hair and fine lines forming at the corner of your eyes, you might also see a discolored set of teeth that were once white and vibrant. Waking up to this image in the mirror does not have to be your day-to-day reality when cosmetic dentistry is readily available. Keep reading to discover which treatments can give your smile the boost it needs at this stage in life.
How Does Aging Impact Your Smile?
Your teeth will go through various stages during your life. From the initial eruption of baby teeth during infancy and toddlerhood to the removal of wisdom teeth as a teenager or young adult, these changes are common and to be expected.
Once you reach your 30s and 40s, additional wear and tear and discoloration are likely to be present. This is usually caused by years of eating dense, hard foods as well as consuming that daily morning coffee before work. It’s also possible that you may notice:
- Shifting teeth caused by gravity (the facial muscles begin to droop)
- Narrowing arches that result in crowded teeth and misalignment
- Worn-down tooth enamel caused by chewing and grinding food
- Gum recession because of the thinning of the gum tissue
- Yellowing of teeth as enamel begins to thin over the years, showing more of the dentin layer
How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve the Health & Aesthetics of Your Smile?
It might seem as if cosmetic dental treatments are only designed to improve the visual appearance of your smile, but they also play an important role in your oral health.
As your smile ages, its physical aesthetic is not the only thing to change. The health of your teeth and gums will also evolve, so taking proper care of your smile is essential no matter your age.
To recapture a more youthful look that consists of healthier teeth and gums, you can turn to a qualified cosmetic dentist for help. During a consultation, they will go over the available treatment options you can choose from to rejuvenate your smile. They may include:
- Veneers or Lumineers – Veneers are customized, thin coverings that fit over the front surfaces of teeth to conceal stains, chips, cracks, gaps, and other imperfections that form over time. Lumineers are similar but do not require the removal of tooth enamel and are reversible.
- Teeth Whitening – Professional whitening services target intrinsic and extrinsic stains, eliminating them to produce whiter, brighter teeth.
- Metal-Free Restorations – Made of all ceramic materials, these custom crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays can repair damaged or decayed teeth while also producing beautiful results that blend in with your existing smile.
- Direct Bonding – If you have small stains or chips that need fixing, direct bonding uses composite resin that is applied directly to the enamel for fast and effective results that can last several years.
The cosmetic treatments listed above will change the way you see your smile each morning as well as improve the health of your grin in the years to come. By revitalizing your smile with custom veneers, teeth whitening, or one of the many other available solutions, you’ll find your golden years to be much more enjoyable.
About the Author
Dr. Rina Singh is a skilled cosmetic dentist who offers an array of aesthetic services that focus on improving a patient’s physical smile as well as their oral health. Available to healthy adults who desire to transform their appearance so that imperfections are no longer noticeable, she combines her skills in art and science to craft personalized plans that lead to beautiful, life-changing results. If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry for your smile, contact us at (717) 761-0283 or visit our website.