Teeth go through a lot over decades of use, and the wear can take a toll on their appearance. Just like the rest of the human body, the aging of the teeth and gums is affected by external pressures such as chewing, grinding, hormones, and gravity. The teeth never stop changing throughout their lifecycle, and understanding how they age can help you take the best care of them as time goes on. Here’s a brief list of ways by which aging can affect your smile and how cosmetic dentistry may be able to help.
How Can My Teeth Change with Age?
Age can affect the appearance of your teeth in a variety of ways. A few of these include:
- Wear: Decades of chewing can thin out the enamel layer of the teeth, causing them to appear less white and more yellowish over time.
- Stains and discoloration: Many popular foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and colorful candies are loaded with pigments and dyes that can stain or discolor teeth with repeated exposure.
- Bad habits: Over years of use, smoking stains teeth, erodes gum tissue, and causes tooth loss. Alcohol is an acidic chemical, meaning that it can erode your enamel over time. Practicing these kinds of habits for years can diminish from your smile’s appearance.
How Can I Help My Teeth Looking Great?
In addition to practicing excellent oral hygiene, cosmetic dentistry is a great way to achieve a more beautiful smile. Cosmetic dental treatments can address a wide variety of cosmetic concerns, allowing patients to smile confidently with teeth they can be proud of. A few popular cosmetic dental treatments include:
Teeth whitening
A cosmetic dentist can perform a teeth whitening procedure that can leave a smile up to ten shades whiter in about an hour at their office. During this treatment, your dentist will place barriers in your mouth to protect soft oral tissues before applying a few coats of concentrated whitening agent to your teeth. This treatment produces results far superior to those of any store-bought whitening product.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are a versatile dental treatment that can address a wide range of issues like chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. These thin porcelain shells are designed to be cemented to the fronts of troubled teeth, covering up imperfections and transforming the patient’s smile in as few as two appointments!
Cosmetic dentistry has restored many a smile to a more youthful appearance. Consulting with your dentist can determine if any cosmetic dental treatments are right for you.
About the Practice
Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry offers the greatest dental healthcare services available in Orange Park, FL. Led by Drs. Steven Crovatto and Megan Edwards, the staff ensures that each patient receives personalized attention in a friendly and calming environment. Areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (904) 272-0800.