In 2023, the anti-aging industry was worth about 47 billion dollars globally. With wrinkle creams, various injections, hair dye, and other products, most of the emphasis is focused on the skin, face, and head. However, one area you may have neglected could be making you look older—your smile. How can your dentist help you hold onto your youthful appearance? Here are three ways cosmetic dentistry can help you fight aging.
Remove Yellow or Dull Stains
When teeth remain bright and white, they look brand-new, but when discoloration sets in, it can age your smile. Exposure to foods and beverages over multiple years eventually leaves traces in the enamel, making it appear yellow or dull. Fortunately, most discoloration can be bleached away with professional whitening treatment.
Similar to products you can purchase online, these take-home kits are used every day for about two weeks, but the whitening you get from your dentist is far more powerful than commercial solutions. In fact, with the help of your dentist, you can brighten your smile by as many as 10 shades in same amount of time it takes store-bought products to make only 3 shades of difference.
Make Chipped or Cracked Teeth Pristine
Wear and tear occur over time, and your teeth can reflect your many experiences good and bad. On the other hand, teeth that appear to be in excellent condition look like they still have plenty of life ahead, helping you have a more youthful appearance. Although lost enamel is permanent, your dentist can cover little imperfections like chips, cosmetic cracks, small or misshapen teeth, little gaps, and even slight misalignment with thin slivers of porcelain called veneers.
Veneers reflect light exactly like enamel, so the coverings look completely natural, and veneers can be designed to correct a single tooth or create a uniform smile from ear to ear.
Preserve Facial Shape
When an entire tooth is lost, it not only affects the person’s appearance above the gums, but it can also impact the jawbone tissue underneath. Tooth roots stimulate the jawbone, keeping nutrients coming to the area, and when the root is gone, the jawbone loses density. Over time, it deteriorates and shrinks, making facial structure collapse. That’s why a lot of older people who have lost teeth have a sunken look.
Traditional dentures and bridges do nothing to stop this process, but dental implants compensate for the roots, revitalizing the jawbone and keeping it strong. As a result, the face can stay robust and young looking even after tooth loss.
Your teeth may not be the sole source of aging, but addressing these issues can go a long way to restoring your youthful confidence and appearance.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino is a Harvard graduate and attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to earn his dental degree. He has practiced in the Medford area for more than 30 years and has focused his continuing education coursework on cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry. He and his team at Giamberardino Dental Care customize care to each patient’s needs, ensuring flawless results and a more rewarding experience. Contact our practice online or call us at 781-396-3800 to schedule an appointment.