Three ways you can keep your smile looking younger

Aging reminds us of wrinkling skin, fine lines, creases and greying hair. But rarely do we remind ourselves that our teeth ages too! The vitality and vigour of our teeth and gums gradually diminish over time, leading to numerous problems. It is aesthetics that take the biggest hit, which prominently reflects in your smile. Yellowing, worn out or missing teeth take away the aesthetic appeal from your smile, making you feel less confident and more self-conscious. Thus, it’s pertinent that you take charge of your oral health right from today to age gracefully in future. 

Why my pearly whites lose their shine?

The whiteness and shine of our teeth is due to the presence of the translucent outer layer called  enamel. As we age, the enamel layer becomes thinner and the underlying dentine (which is yellowish in color) becomes more visible. Hence, your teeth will acquire a strong yellowish tinge and appear dull.

Few tips that can help you smile confidently in old age

1.      Maintain good oral hygiene – The simplest task, yet the most ignored. Maintaining a daily cleaning regimen can do wonders to your oral health in the long run. Your teeth cleaning regimen should at the minimum include brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. Doing the right thing in a wrong way can do more harm than good. Ask your dentist to demonstrate to you the right method to brush and floss. Getting rid of food and debris stuck between your teeth will greatly reduce the chances of gum diseases and tooth decay. Don’t forget to get teeth cleaning done at the dental office at least twice   a year!

2.      Get those teeth in line – It is a normal process for teeth to shift and settle as we age. But, factors like tooth decay, trauma, gum disease and diabetes can accentuate this process and overtly misalign the teeth. Aligning your dentition not always requires the use of braces. Modern advances in dentistry have made teeth straightening easy and convenient for adults. Talk to your dentist about Invisalign and Six Months Smile procedures. Invisalign trays are transparent and flexible devices which can be easily placed over your teeth and removed while eating, brushing, or flossing. This treatment can be done in a short period of time (a year or less) and it realigns teeth with the least pain and discomfort.

3.      Replace or restore damaged teeth – Missing or decayed teeth can age our appearance quicker than we can imagine. Decayed teeth can be easily restored through dental fillings. Ask your dentist for tooth colored filling or composites. Composite fillings provide the best aesthetics as they match the  colour of the enamel, which makes them hardly visible. Besides composite fillings, you can also go for dental crowns or veneers  made of  porcelain. Porcelain crowns and veneers are placed over the tooth to restore the anatomy, function and aesthetics of the tooth.

If you have entirely lost one or more teeth, you don’t have to freak out as they can be easily replaced by using bridges, dentures or implants. Dental implants provide a permanent solution, as they are placed into the jaw bone and function as a normal natural tooth. Read our blog on dentures to know more about their benefits.

Following these simple tips can help you retain  youth in your smile. You’ll never have to be embarrassed or hide your smile when you have a full set of pearly whites. 

To get a perfect smile and cosmetic dentistry, contact Green Meadow Dental, 3579B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, (860)-865-0056. Families from Portland find the easy drive to Newington well worthwhile because or our expertise and modern facilities, our friendly dental team and the relaxing disposition of Dr. Mukund.We also provide dental services to surrounding areas which include Hartford, Plainville and Farmington.