Timeworn Teeth: 3 Ways Cosmetic Dentistry Can Reverse the Clock

Growing older comes with many physical changes that let the world know you’ve aged, whether it’s your increasingly silvery white hair growth or deeper laugh lines. Unfortunately, some of the changes to your teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious about the way you look. No one wants to spend their later years with low self-confidence! Fortunately, your dentist provides cosmetic treatments that can seemingly reverse the clock. Continue reading to learn about 3 ways your smile changes over time and how your dentist can help!

#1: Tainted Teeth

Even if you maintained a rigorous routine of brushing and flossing twice daily throughout your life, years’ worth of eating and drinking foods that stain will leave your teeth looking drab. Though you might try to lighten them with over-the-counter products, those tend to have abrasive bleaching ingredients that wear down your enamel and cause tooth sensitivity.

Fortunately, your dentist has access to professional-grade whiteners that get better results without causing discomfort. In a single in-office visit, you could brighten your teeth by up to 8 shades. If you don’t have the time for an onsite appointment, they can also provide a take-home kit using the same solution along with customized trays for the most effective results from home.

#2: Eroded Enamel

Did you know that in their most natural form, teeth are not entirely white? The outer layer, enamel, is indeed a bluish-white hue, but the layer underneath (dentin) is a yellow tone. Because enamel is translucent and wears down over the years, your teeth start to appear darker from the inside out. In these instances, whitening won’t help because the discoloration isn’t due to surface stains. Furthermore, without sufficient enamel, your teeth are more fragile and can be more easily damaged by injury, gum disease, or tooth decay.

One solution to restore their vibrant shade while simultaneously shielding them from harm is with porcelain veneers. Your dentist customizes these thin, ceramic shells to the perfect shade and then bonds them to the front surface of your tooth to hide imperfections. Because they’re coated with a glaze durable enough to resist stains and fractures, they provide your underlying tooth with some much-needed protection.

#3: Mouth Movement

We tend to think of our teeth as immovable, permanent fixtures but the truth is that they continue to shift in our mouths as we grow older. If you have a slightly misaligned bite, for example, the uneven force from biting and chewing over the years can push them out of their ideal placements. No senior citizen wants to have bulky braces installed on their teeth, but thankfully, there’s a more discrete alternative.

Invisalign consists of clear plastic aligner trays that factor in your tooth placement and bite force, and fit snuggly over your teeth to gently reposition them. It’s a great way to get a straighter grin without detracting from your appearance.

Call your dentist today so they can get to work reversing the clock for your smile!

About the Author

Dr. Bradford Plasha strives to provide families with world-class dental care in a welcoming, friendly environment, including dental cosmetic services. He spent his undergraduate years at Randolph-Macon College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, then graduated from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine for his dental degree. He has since received extensive training in the most recent technology and techniques so you’re certain to get the most current treatments. If you’d like an appointment, you’re welcome to request one on the website or by calling (484) 854-6900.