How Cosmetic Dentistry Makes You Look Younger

As we age, our smiles age along with us. Although many people look to wrinkles as being the only visual indicator of age, the appearance of our smile is another important factor. There are several visual clues in our smile that can either make us appear older or younger than we actually are. 

Some of those visual clues deal with the shape of our teeth. After years of chewing and grinding food, our teeth are very likely to be worn down in certain places. This wear may be exceptionally noticeable in people who have spent years grinding or clenching their teeth, and can cause certain teeth to be oddly shaped. The color of our teeth can also suggest age since the enamel naturally wears down over time, allowing the yellowish dentin layer to be visible. 

Luckily, these clues of aging hidden in our smile can be treated just like the wrinkles on our skin. In fact, many people don’t realize that cosmetic dental treatments can actually restore a youthful appearance to their smile. Here are just a few ways that cosmetic dentistry can make you look younger: 

Brightens Your Smile

Certain cosmetic procedures can improve the color of your teeth by removing or covering up stains. Depending on the type of stains your teeth have, your cosmetic dentist can advise you on the right treatment. Teeth bleaching is one way to remove stains caused by foods and beverages, however veneers or dental crowns may be a better option for stains associated with aging. Regardless of the treatment you choose, having a whiter and brighter smile is an easy way to brighten your entire face. 

Contours Your Gums

Older adults are prone to developing gum disease, which can cause the gums to have a lackluster appearance. Additionally, gum disease also results in gum recession that can make the teeth appear abnormally large. Overall gum disease does you no favors in terms of your oral health or appearance. Therefore to improve the condition of your gums, your dentist can perform periodontal cleanings as well as a gum graft. Gum grafts allow for the growth of new and healthy gum tissue. The end result is a contoured gum line with teeth that are normally sized. 

Remodels Your Smile

Over time, your teeth may have developed cracks or chips in certain areas. They may also be excessively worn, loose, or even missing. No matter what the current condition of your teeth is, cosmetic dentists have a treatment for them. Damaged or worn teeth can be restored with veneers, crowns, and cosmetic bonding, while loose or missing teeth can be restored with bridges, partial or full dentures, and dental implants. In some cases, multiple restorations can be used to achieve the desired results. The end product is a completely remodeled smile with no signs of wear or damage. 

Preserves Facial Structure

When one or more teeth is lost, the surrounding bone mass will be reabsorbed into the body. This eventually results in a deterioration of the facial bones that causes the face to change shape. When you replace missing teeth with dental implants, they provide the necessary stimulation to the bone to maintain proper bone mass. This ensures that you can preserve your natural facial structure despite losing one or more teeth. 

As you can see, cosmetic dentistry can make you look younger in a variety of ways by addressing some of the common visual clues of aging. Restoring an aged smile can remove stains, contour the gums, remodel your teeth, and preserve bone mass. The end result is a smile with a more youthful appearance that can make your entire face appear years younger. Not only that, but there’s also the benefit of restored oral health as well.